Greek Ferry Collides with Tanker During Arrival in Patras
The winter storm that impacted Greece and the Aegean over the weekend had significant repercussions on shipping operations, leading to schedule changes and diversions. One notable incident resulting from the severe weather was the sinking of the cargo ship Raptor.
The adverse conditions also contributed to a maritime mishap in which a ro/ro ferry, the Hellenic Spirit, collided with the vessels Superfast II and Aegean Tiffany while attempting to enter the harbor at Patras.
The Hellenic Spirit, on a routine voyage from Ancona to Patras with 128 passengers and 116 vehicles on board, experienced challenging wind conditions during its arrival. The collision with the ro/ro ferry and the product tanker caused minor damage to the Hellenic Spirit, with no reported injuries. The ferry was detained for inspection, revealing cracks in the area of the collision damage, delaying its scheduled departure.
A video of the incident depicts a noticeable scrape on the starboard quarter of the Hellenic Spirit, just ahead of its loading ramps.
Concurrently, Greek maritime authorities are launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the freighter Raptor, which sank off Lesbos during the storm. The vessel, known for its history of serious deficiencies, including hull penetrations due to corrosion, was caught in the storm while navigating the Aegean.
The distress call was made shortly before the Raptor sank, and only the chief engineer was rescued from the water. According to the rescued crewmember, the vessel had been in distress for a day, and the crew had been attempting to address flooding issues.
“We were trying with buckets, and whatever other means we had on board, to get the water out, to empty it. At some point, the boat punctured, began to take a dangerous slope and then I jumped into the sea. Then I saw another 4-5 people jumping into the water and from then on I never saw them again,” the engineer told Greek outlet Ta Nea.
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The Greek Coast Guard is entertaining the possibility that the Raptor might have been engaged in smuggling or other illicit activities. Previous inspections had already exposed significant material deficiencies on board the ship. Additionally, an unusual pattern emerged during inspections, revealing that the vessel had a history of rendezvousing with other ships while underway—a behavior not typical for a bulker.
Officials are scrutinizing the timeline of events, raising suspicions about the captain’s decision-making. It appears that the captain delayed making a distress call, with the ship coming to a halt at 0300, restarting, and then stopping again at 0715, likely due to mechanical issues. The vessel ultimately sank at 0820, shortly after the distress call was made.
