Drepano: yacht freed after four days aground

The luxury yacht that had remained aground for four days in the shallows off Drepano, Patras, was freed on Thursday, August 20. According to reporting by “TA NEA” and the newspaper “Peloponnisos”, the vessel is about 20 metres long and flies the American flag, and it ran aground on Sunday, August 16, at the spot known as the Panagia passage, near the Drepano lighthouse. At the time of the incident, northeasterly winds of force 4 were blowing. Five people were aboard the vessel, none of whom faced any health problem. Thursday’s attempt was the third in a row, as the two previous ones, made using a tugboat, had failed. The process was ultimately completed without problems, and the yacht is now clear of the shallows.

Preparatory work was needed to make the release possible. Before the vessel was moved, fuel was removed to reduce its weight, and the seabed was cleared, removing gravel and stones that had built up around the hull and were holding it fast. This approach is common in cases of grounding on sandy or gravelly seabeds: the deeper the draft, the greater the force required from the tugboat, while forcibly pulling a laden vessel carries the risk of hull rupture. Removing the fuel also served an environmental purpose, as it limits the risk of a spill in case of damage. The four-day timeframe is explained by the need to gather the appropriate resources and choose a time window with favourable conditions. In the first two attempts, towing with a tugboat failed to move the vessel, which led to the decision to lighten it and prepare the seabed before a new attempt. Combining the two actions reduced resistance and allowed the final move.

The Panagia passage is a known hazard for passing vessels, as a narrow sandy strip extends there beneath the sea’s surface, not visible from the deck. Drepano lies at the northwestern tip of Achaia, at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth, at one of the busiest spots in the area both for shipping and for swimmers. Constant passage of pleasure craft, sailboats and commercial vessels takes place in this narrow stretch, especially during the summer months, while the coastline is low and offers no visual landmarks for judging depth. During the four days it remained stranded, the vessel became an object of curiosity for visitors to the area, who approached the shore to see it and photograph it.

It has not been announced whether the port authority is conducting a preliminary investigation into the causes of the grounding, a procedure that is usually followed and examines the vessel’s course, its maritime documents and the operator’s qualifications. It has also not been disclosed whether damage was caused to the vessel itself or to the seabed, nor whether the yacht will be taken to a port or shipyard for inspection. Freeing a vessel does not automatically mean it is seaworthy, as damage to the hull and rudders is established through inspection out of the water. Similar incidents have been recorded in the same period in other sea areas, including the towing of a rudderless sailboat with nine passengers off Kos and a boat collision off Zakynthos leaving six injured.