Two High Speed Ferries Collide in Piraeus, Greece

Two high speed ferries collided while sailing out of Piraeus port, Greece on July 30, the Hellenic Coast Guard reports.

The two ferries have been identified as Champion Jet-1, which had 297 passengers on board and Athina, which was carrying 60 passengers on board.

As informed there were no injuries to the passengers or the crew on board, however; both ships suffered damages.

The Port Authority detained the two ships in harbor until an investigation into potential marine pollution was carried out. The ban was lifted shortly after as no leak was detected from either of the ships.

Champion Jet-1 was heading for the islands of Sifnos, Milos, Ios and Thira, and the hydrofoil Athina was en route to Agistri and Aigina when they collided.

The Coast Guard reported that on the same day a general cargo vessel, flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, named Wittenbergen, ran aground off the Kithira island, Greece.

The 1992-built cargo ship, operated by Arkon Shipping, had eight crew members on board who are all reported to be safe.

There was no pollution to the environment, however the Coast Guard said that a small crack in the vessel’s forepeak area was detected resulting in water ingress, which was subsequently put under control.

The vessel was en route from Gebze, Turkey to Belfast, Ireland, with a cargo of steel coils when it got grounded.

World Maritime News Staff