The Greek ferry Hellenic Spirit collided with the Superfast II ferry and Aegean Tiffany (2004-built oil tanker/IMO 9314478) during its arrival at Port Patras (Greece) on Saturday, November 25.
The accident was attributed to severe weather conditions that struck Greece and the Aegean over the weekend, causing disruptions in shipping schedules and leading to at least one major casualty – the sinking of the cargo ship Raptor off Lesbos Island.
The Hellenic Spirit, with 128 passengers and 116 vehicles on board, suffered minor damage in the collision, with no reported injuries.
Greek maritime authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the freighter Raptor, which sank off Lesbos on Sunday. The vessel, plagued by serious deficiencies, including hull penetrations due to corrosion, succumbed to a storm in the Aegean shortly after issuing a distress call.
The Greek Coast Guard is exploring the possibility that the Raptor may have been engaged in smuggling or other illicit activities. A prior inspection had identified significant material deficiencies on the ship and revealed its unusual behavior of meeting other vessels underway, a behavior not typical for a bulker.