Following the Express Samina disaster at the end of September 2000, ferry safety has become an important issue in Greece.

This page is intended to give you the run down on the general situation by reporting on safety developments followed by some basic safety precautions that are worth taking.

Below this we list the major domestic ferries with their year of build, operator, and - in some instances - warnings about travelling on them.

See the News page for details of the latest incidents
 
  Ferry Safety Issues

 

No change, but 'all change' on the way

Almost a year after the Express Samina disaster in which 82 people died, you would be hard put to see any radical difference in the Greek ferry scene. In the wake of the disaster the government suspended an impressive total of 65 ferries (almost half of the large boats in the fleet) and tour boats for failing safety inspections. Having made this token gesture, it has subsequently allowed these boats to return, preferring to legislate a new environment for future ferry operations rather than take more draconian action in the short term - the justification being that the Express Samina disaster was apparently due to human causes. This said, The Greek ferry scene is slowly changing - it is just that nobody feels much like saying so out loud (admitting that you have a problem is likely to prompt calls for more drastic action). It is noticeable this year that the high speed vessels of all types are proving to be very popular - leaving the older conventional boats to pick up the slack. Several of the oldest boats have now quietly disappeared from view, though there are still several ancient tubs that really shouldn't be around still plying their trade.

New ferry safety legislation

The heart of the Greek government response is some proposed new legislation which will be tabled in parliament before the summer, designed to introduce more competition in ferry services, and reduce the age of the fleet. The key provisions are:

1. Cabotage Date Brought Forward. Greece will open up its coastal services to other European operators on 1st of November 2002 (rather than on the 1st of January 2004 - as it was entitled to under an EU exemption). At the moment only Greek ferry operators can provide domestic ferry services.

2. Looser Ferry Route Licensing. In future the vested interests that blocked rival companies on more profitable routes will find it harder to get their way. Currently certain routes have become virtual monopolies thanks to a potent mix of powerful ferry operators and ministerial patronage. This liberalization should mean that island-hoppers have a wider choice of vessels on the more popular routes and that companies make more effort to offer better ships and services. The government is, however, protecting the unpopular routes with plans to offer long-term "public service" franchises in order to attract interest from ferry operators.

Measures against older ferries

In the last six months much public anger has been directed at the age of many of the boats in the Greek ferry fleet. In part this was a response to the age of the Express Samina and survivor reports of difficulties in finding life jackets and vital safety equipment not working. Greece has more relaxed rules regarding ferry age than the rest of the EU, and this, combined with the lack of competition, has ensured that the country has become something of a dumping ground for old boats that are past their local use-by-date or are uncompetitive elsewhere.
 

C/F Express Danae

One of the large number of older boats that are now damaging the reputation of the Greece domestic ferry system.

 

Changes have already been brought in to regulations. The rule which prevents the operation of boats after they reach the age of 35 is being tightened to a 30 year limit. Sadly, the age reduction is being introduced over a five year period, coming down by a year, each year, until 2006.

The ferry owners have made this the focus of their displeasure, claiming not only that it will force the premature retirement of 77 of the 120-odd ferries running on domestic lines. In a further move against older ferries, the government has stated that new route permits will only be approved for vessels built after 1990. The operators are up in arms over the prospect of having to find decent boats to replace their old tubs, and have - with some justification - pointed out that the government is making the task of replacement harder by retaining the strict controls on ticket prices.

 

C/F Aeolos Express

An impressive example of the new breed of custom-built high speed ferries that are now appearing on the popular routes in Greece.


New Rules for Crews

As the Express Samina disaster is perceived as being the result of human failings, Greece has moved quickly to improve standards in this area. Survivor reports that the crew of the Express Samina failed to help passengers find lifejackets, or board and launch lifeboats, have done nothing for the reputation of Greek seamanship. Indeed, the behaviour of some of the crew strongly suggested that they had been reading the collected sayings of W Somerset Maugham (who was once reported as observing that he only ever travelled on French liners because there was 'none of that nonsense about women and children first').

A presidential decree has made it mandatory for crew members to demonstrate emergency procedures and notify passengers of the whereabouts of life-saving appliances (though it remains to be seen if or how this will be carried out on a day-to-day basis). The government also claims to have stepped up checks to verify that seafarers are sufficiently trained in rescue drills as well as to monitor the seaworthiness of the ferries themselves. There are also plans to limit the hours of crew work schedules, particularly in the High Season.


New Ferry Inspectorate

Amidst charges by some ship owners and sailors that bogus seaworthiness certificates have been issued in the past, the government plans to create an internal affairs division at the merchant marine ministry that will be responsible for investigating charges of corruption and improprieties. A special task force will also conduct snap ship inspections. The government has also approved a 50 billion drachmas scheme that will to enable the Greek port authority to hire an additional 750 personnel.

 
  Recommended Safety Precautions


Statistically, you are still very safe travelling on a Greek ferry, but it would be foolish not to take extra care until the older boats in the fleet are retired and safety inspections improved. Without going over-board on this issue (until you have to) there are some basic precautions that you can take.

Be wary of using ferries and tourist boats over 27 years old.
Older ferries tend to have poor internal layouts and weaker safety features, so they are much better avoided. If you really want to play safe, then the new high speed catamarans and ferries are the best way to travel. There are a growing number of these purpose-built vessels. They have up-to-date safety features and the cream of each ferry fleets' crew. Their speed ensures that navigational awareness is kept high.

 
When travelling on any ferry it is always wise to take a few elementary precautions on boarding.
If you are travelling inside the vessel then look for at least two possible exits - in different directions. Don't assume that because you can see a door that you will be able to use it: check it (locked doors on Greek ferries are deemed by operators to be an easy way of keeping classes apart). Establishing where the nearest life jackets are located is equally important.
 
When travelling at night, have a torch within easy reach at the top of your baggage.
Almost the first thing to fail on the Express Samina were the lights, and other Greek ferries have failed safety inspections in the past for having lifeboat lights that didn't work.
 
 
  Boats you might wish to avoid

 

All boats operating in Greece have been inspected and deemed 'safe' by the relevant Greek authorities. This said, it cannot be denied that a large number of boats are only operating in Greece because they would not meet design standards or refurbishment requirements elsewhere. The list below highlights these boats. We are not saying they are unsafe, but just pointing them out so that you can exercise due caution.

The first group of boats identified below are those over 27 years old. Ferries are normally regarded as 'old' when they hit 20-25, and the EU requires ferries to undergo substantial refurbishment when they reach 27. Greece has negotiated exemptions from this requirement, so is home to a large number of boats that would not be allowed to operate in or to another EU country.

The second group of ferries - and those which do attract warnings - are those boats over the age of 30. By introducing rules aimed at eliminating these vessels by 2006 even the Greek government has accepted that these boats are not desirable members of the domestic fleet. This being the case, who in their right minds would want to travel on them now?

In rare instances the author of Greek Island Hopping warns directly against using individual ferries. They are boats he - with 15 years of island hopping behind him - is not happy travelling on. These warnings are based on their poor internal layouts or safety records: further details are given via the guidebook's ferry write-ups.
 
  Greek Ferries: Statistics & Recommendations

 

Key

Red Name High Speed Ferry/Catamaran
Blue Name Regular Ferry
CF Car Ferry
CM Catamaran (Passengers only)
CCM Car-carrying Catamaran (no lorries or tall vehicles)
X Failed October 2000 Safety Inspection
XX Failed 2 Safety Inspections since 1998
M Suffered Mechanical Failure at Sea in 2000
D Reports of Discrimination against Backpackers in 2000

The list below includes all the large Greek domestic ferries.

Aeolos Express CF 2000 NEL Lines
NEW
  
Aeolos Express II CF 2001 NEL Lines
NEW
  
Aeolos Kenteris CF 2001 NEL Lines
NEW
  
Agios Georgios CF 1972 VSL
Over 27 Years Old
M X
Agios Spiridon CF 1972 Kerkira Lines
Over 27 Years Old
  
Apollon Hellas CF 1990 Saronikos Ferries / MFD  
X
Aptera CF 1973 ANEK Lines
Over 27 Years Old
X
Arkadi CF 1983 ANEK Lines    
Arsinoe CF 1980 Arsinoe Lines  
X
Blue Star 1 CF 2002 Blue Star / Strintzis
NEW
  
Blue Star 2 CF 2002 Blue Star / Strintzis
NEW
  
Blue Star Ithaki CF 2000 Blue Star / Strintzis
NEW
  
Blue Star Naxos CF 2002 Blue Star / Strintzis
NEW
  
Blue Star Paros CF 2002 Blue Star / Strintzis
NEW
  
Daliana CF 1970 GA Ferries
AVOID this Boat
X
Diagoras CF 1990 DANE Sea Lines    
Dimitrios Miras CF 1972 Zakinthos
Over 27 Years Old
  
Dimitroula CF 1978 GA Ferries  
X D
Eftichia CF 1974 Saronikos Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
  
El Venizelos CF 1992 ANEK Lines    
Express Adonis CF 1971 Hellas Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
X
Express Aphrodite CF 1977 Hellas Ferries / MFD  
X
Express Apollon CF 1973 Hellas Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
X
Express Aris CF 1972 Hellas Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
  
Express Athina CF 1973 Hellas Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
  
Express Dionyssos CF 1977 Hellas Ferries / MFD  
X
Express Haroulla CCM 1994 Sporades Ferries / MFD  
X
Express Olympia CF 1973 Hellas Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
X
Express Poseidon CF 1973 Hellas Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
  
Express Santorini CF 1974 Hellas Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
X D
Express Skopelitis CF 1998 Small Cyclades Lines  
X
Festos Palace CF 2001 Minoan Lines
NEW
  
Flying Cat 1 CM 1990 Minoan Flying Dolphins    
Flying Cat 2 CM 199- Minoan Flying Dolphins    
Flying Cat 3 CM 1998 Minoan Flying Dolphins    
Flying Cat 4 CM 2000 Minoan Flying Dolphins
NEW
  
Georgios 2 CF 1990 Saronikos Ferries / MFD    
Highspeed 1 CCM 1996 Minoan Flying Dolphins    
Highspeed 2 CCM 1999 Minoan Flying Dolphins
NEW
  
Highspeed 3 CCM 1999 Minoan Flying Dolphins
NEW
  
Highspeed 4 CCM 2000 Minoan Flying Dolphins
NEW
  
Ierapetra L CF 1975 LANE Lines  
X
Ionis CF 1977 Zakinthos    
Kefalonia CF 1975 Blue Ferries / Strintzis  
X
Knossos Palace CF 2000 Minoan Lines
NEW
  
Kriti II CF 1979 ANEK Lines    
Lato CF 1975 ANEK Lines  
X
Lemnos CF 1976 Sporades Ferries / MFD  
X
Lissos CF 1972 ANEK Lines
Over 27 Years Old
X
Lykomides CF 1973 Skyros Line
Over 27 Years Old
  
Macedon CF 1972 Sporades Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
  
Marina CF 1971 GA Ferries
Over 27 Years Old
  
Milena CF 1970 GA Ferries
Best Avoided
X
Mirina Express CF 1975 Goutos Lines    
Myrtidiotissa CF 1976 ANEN Lines
AVOID this boat
XX
Mytilene CF 1973 NEL Lines
Over 27 Years Old
X
N. Kazantzakis CF 1972 Minoan Lines
Over 27 Years Old
X
Nefeli CF 1990 Saronikos Ferries / MFD    
Nissos Kalimnos CF 1988 ANE Kalimnos Sea Lines  
X
Nissos Limnos CF 1969 Hellas Ferries / MFD
AVOID this boat
X
Olympia Palace CF 2001 Minoan Lines
NEW
  
Pantokrator CF 1989 Feax Express Lines    
Papadiamantis II CF 1973 Sporades Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
  
Patmos CF 1972 DANE Sea Lines
Over 27 Years Old
X
Penelope A CF 1972 Hellas Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
X
Poseidon Hellas CF 1999 Saronikos Ferries / MFD    
Preveli CF 1980 ANEK Lines    
Proteus CF 1973 Tyrogalas
Over 27 Years Old
X
Rodanthi CF 1974 GA Ferries
Over 27 Years Old
X
Rodos CF 1973 DANE Sea Lines
Over 27 Years Old
X
Romilda CF 1974 GA Ferries
AVOID this boat
  
Rythimno CF 1971 DANE Sea Lines
Over 27 Years Old
X
Saronikos CF 1974 Saronikos Ferries / MFD
Over 27 Years Old
  
SeaJet 2 CM 1995 Blue Star / Strintzis    
Superferry II CF 1974 Blue Ferries / Strintzis
Over 27 Years Old
X
Taxiarchis CF 1976 NEL Lines  
X
Theofilos CF 1975 NEL Lines  
X
Vit. Kornaros CF 1976 LANE Lines    
Zakinthos 1 CF 1973 ANEZ Lines
Over 27 Years Old
X
Zakinthos 2 CF 2002 ANEZ Lines
NEW
  

 

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