Phlebas: catamaran sunk, occupants safe

A Turkish-flagged sailing catamaran partially sank on Friday afternoon, August 14, approximately two nautical miles west of Phlebas islet in the Saronic Gulf. The rescue operation unfolded under coordination by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, with two Coast Guard vessels rushing to the scene—one from the Saronic and one from Piraeus. The occupants were first rescued by a tender of the Cayman Islands-flagged yacht, which was nearby, then handed to the Coast Guard. They were transported to Vouliagmeni Marina, all in good health with no injuries reported.

Regarding the number of occupants, there is a discrepancy between sources: some report ten people and others eight. The difference has not been clarified by official Coast Guard announcement until publication and is recorded here as it emerges from sources without arbitrarily choosing one version. Both reports agree the occupants were foreign nationals and all were rescued. The circumstances under which the vessel took on water are unknown and will be investigated by the competent port authority. The assistance vessel that reached the scene first was the tender of the yacht “Opera,” according to published information, and its intervention significantly shortened rescue time.

The president of the Panhellenic Union of Private and Professional Yachts Crews, Giorgos Vallis, stated that “the vessel took on water, resulting in the immediate mobilization of the rescue mechanism.” The incident occurred on a day with extreme weather conditions in the Aegean, with winds reaching up to nine Beaufort in places and sailing prohibition in effect from Rafina and Lavrio ports until 16:00. In the Saronic, intensity was lower than in the central Aegean, yet remained demanding for sailing vessels.

The Phlebas area, a small uninhabited islet south of Vouliagmeni, is a popular sailing destination and day-trip destination with pleasure vessels, especially during peak season. Increased vessel traffic in the Saronic during August combines with a large number of chartered vessels whose crews are not always familiar with local conditions. The Coast Guard systematically recommends small vessel captains avoid departure when extraordinary storm warnings are in effect.