Nea Styra: Ferry Boat Runs Aground – Captain Claims Rudder Malfunction

A ferry boat has run aground off the coast of Nea Styra. The captain of the “Panagia Paravouniotissa” claimed that the rudder malfunctioned and he did not see the reef.

The captain has been charged with causing a shipwreck and disrupting the safety of maritime transport. He remains in custody at the Chalkida Port Authority pending his apology on Friday.

An operation to dislodge the ferry boat is underway. Tugs have sailed to the scene and are expected to submit a dislodgement and wreck removal plan, which must be approved by the Ministry of Shipping. Divers are carrying out underwater work and efforts are being made to move vehicles to lift the bow.

The president of the Styra community, Nikos Drakogiannis, stated that technicians have boarded the ship to assess the damage.