An alarm was raised on Wednesday evening (11/02) for the Coast Guard regarding a yacht running aground and taking on water off Elafonisos. The incident occurred in the waters near Cape Agia Marina of Elafonisos, while 4 people of Greek nationality were aboard the yacht.
Elafonisos: Coast Guard rescue operation for the sunken yacht
It should be noted that the four Greek passengers of the French-flagged yacht were transferred safely and in good health. The rescue operation mobilized a Coast Guard patrol boat, two private vessels, two passing ships, as well as a Super Puma helicopter from the Air Force. No injuries were reported from the incident.
Meanwhile, parapolitika.gr brings to light video footage from the location where the yacht that sank yesterday near Elafonisos was found, which, as shown, was completely wrecked on the rocks.
Watch the video:
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Captain Giorgos Vallis on the Elafonisos yacht incident: There is no marine pollution
Furthermore, in his statement to parapolitika.gr, Captain Giorgos Vallis, president of PEPIETH, commented on the Elafonisos vessel: “We’re seeing conditions with southwesterly winds gusting seven to eight Beaufort scale with lightning, storms, and rain. Some people with private boats, despite the dangerous weather conditions and stormy winds, decided to enter into a process of traveling at night. And here we are today.
A 30-meter French-flagged yacht, a private vessel with four Greek passengers, carrying approximately six tons of fuel, in a remote area at Cape Agia Marina in Elafonisos, found itself in danger with water ingress that was controlled. There is no marine pollution. Coast Guard vessels, private boats, an Air Force Super Puma helicopter, and passing ships rushed to help the situation and see if they could salvage the vessel.”
“Fortunately, none of the four passengers, all Greeks as we know, were injured. They were transferred for precautionary reasons and medical checks to the nearest Health Center. What I want to emphasize is this: The sea doesn’t tolerate games and risks. Why? It’s not just that we and a boat will come to danger. We put private individuals, vessels, and people at risk when they go to sea under such conditions. The Coast Guard, the Air Force – all of these once again prove that they are there to save lives. To save property, to save lives, and thank God at this moment nothing bad happened regarding the people. We simply need to be careful under such conditions, not to travel, to take all precautionary measures and not risk the state mechanism and put other people in danger,” he adds.
