The efforts to find the 8 missing crew members of the “Piri Reis”, which collided with another ship and subsequently sank on Monday, have been fruitless so far. The search is handled by ships today.
The other ship, the “Consouth” has docked at Kalamata with a mechanical failure. The central port authorities have not allowed the Consouth to leave, until damages have been repaired and the inspector has completed his survey. A team from the Marine Accident Investigation Agency has reached the area to investigate the causes of the accident.
The seven crew members of the Piri Reis were taken to the Kalamata hospital for medical care and tests, while autopsies were performed on the two deceased sailors who were recovered.
The Ministry of Shipping’s Directorate for the Protection of the Marine Environment has addressed the ship-owning firm of the Piri Reis about their “obligation towards taking all appropriate measures to avoid causing pollution in the sea”. Meanwhile the port authorities of Kalamata, Chania, Pylos, Gythio, Neapolis Vion, Zakynthos and Katakolo are on alert in case of any accidents.
The sunken ship was transporting phosphates, however the Coast Guard’s aerial survey of the area did not indicate that there was anything significant to worry about, except of a few minor scattered oil-spots.
