Nea Styra Ferry Grounding: “Crew Panicked More Than Passengers

Retired Coast Guard Admiral Nikolaos Spanos attributed the grounding of the ferry Panagia Paravouniotissa at Nea Styra in Evia to a clear case of human error and delays in submitting a required refloating plan. Speaking on ERT News’s Update program, the former Port Police director and maritime expert emphasized that the management company bears full responsibility for developing and submitting the refloating plan.

“The management company is directly responsible. They have not yet submitted a plan, despite orders from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. The company is obligated to act immediately,” Spanos stressed, noting that if the company fails to act, the state must intervene.

“Risk of Sinking During Towing Attempt”
Spanos expressed concern about delays in the refloating process, telling journalist Stavroula Christophilea, “If cargo is not removed, if no diver inspects the hull, and if the ship is not lightened, there is a risk it could sink during the towing attempt.”

He was highly critical of the crew’s behavior, stating, “The crew did not follow protocol—they panicked more than the passengers.” He noted that they failed to adhere to prescribed procedures. “The crew followed none of the protocols. They panicked more than the passengers,” he reiterated.

According to Spanos, protocol requires the crew, who were familiar with the route, to guide passengers to the assembly station (the lounge), where a designated officer would inform and prepare them for a potential evacuation. “The captain remains on the bridge, while officers guide passengers,” he explained.

Spanos also highlighted a significant issue with the ship’s equipment, noting that the bridge radar appeared to be inoperative at the time of the grounding. “I saw it in a video. The radar wasn’t working. This is a serious omission,” he said, adding that it remains unclear whether the ship was under manual navigation or autopilot.