Chania: 'Karavia' firing range active on Friday

The Central Port Authority of Chania announced the activation of the “Karavia” firing range (LGD-76) in the sea area to the southwest of Crete, effective Friday, 28 August 2026. According to the relevant announcement, signed by Rear Admiral of the Coast Guard Georgios Marakakis, this is a scheduled live-fire exercise within defined geographic boundaries in the Libyan Sea. The Port Authority clarifies that the activation concerns a specific time window, during which navigation and fishing in the zone should be avoided for safety reasons. The announcement is addressed to ship captains, vessel commanders, maritime agents, as well as nautical and fishing clubs in the area.

According to the Central Port Authority of Chania, the firing range will operate from 10:00 to 13:00 UTC (Zulu time)—that is, in local Greek summer time (UTC+3), from 13:00 to 16:00 in the afternoon of Friday. The sea zone placed off-limits to navigation for the specific period extends between a point at 36°55′30″ North latitude and 23°29′20″ East longitude, to the north, and a point at 36°41′30″ North latitude and 23°41′10″ East longitude, to the south, covering part of the Libyan Sea west of the island of Gavdos. According to the announcement, the precise boundaries of the prohibited zone are defined overall by seven coordinate points, details the Port Authority has available for any interested maritime parties.

The Port Authority makes an appeal to all ship captains, vessel commanders, and maritime agents to “avoid passage through the said sea zone” during firing range operating hours, according to the announcement. The same announcement is communicated to nautical and fishing clubs in the area, with particular reference to the Chania Naval Club, the Chania Sailing Club, and the Coast Guard Station in Souda, Chania, who are urged to notify their members in a timely manner and to observe the prescribed safety measures. Corresponding notification is sent, according to the Port Authority, to tugboat and barge companies, as well as to local media, with a request to publicize the content without financial burden to the service.

The activation of firing ranges such as “Karavia” is part of scheduled military exercises conducted on a regular basis in the broader sea area around Souda Naval Base, one of the most strategic reference points of the country’s armed forces. Such announcements are issued systematically by port authorities before each live-fire exercise, so that professional and amateur users of the sea can adjust their routes in a timely manner. In August, with increased boat traffic for recreation, fishing, and sailing around Chania, timely notification takes on particular importance in avoiding incidents at sea. Other safety matters in Chania waters require equal vigilance, such as recent rescues of two minors at sea and four new migrant rescue operations recently recorded in Crete.