The Piraeus prosecutor’s office has requested the arrest of the master of the Maersk Launceston for causing shipwreck by negligence and for violations of international conflict avoidance rules in the accident with the Hellenic Navy minesweeper, Kallisto.
The Polish captain of the 2005-built container vessel was arrested on Tuesday, 27 October, and remains at the Port Authority Department of Keratsini, Piraeus and he will appear in the Piraeus prosecutor’s office today, 29 October.
Investigations are still underway while, according to local reports, the Coast Guard authorities have already tested the officials of both ships for alcohol but all the breathalyser tests proved negative.
Meanwhile, confirmation has come that the repair of the Greek ship, which was cut in two, is impossible. Additionally, the two crew members of Kallisto, who had been transferred to a hospital after the incident, are safe.
The Greek shipping minister, Ioannis Plakiotakis has stated that the Hellenic Navy will ask for compensation if the preliminary investigation shows that the Maersk Launceston caused the collision. The Maersk operated vessel, owned by German company Essberger, has been detained in Piraeus by the Greek authorities while investigations into the incident have continued.
Antonis Karamalegkos
Editor
