A Malta-flagged yacht has been detained by Greek authorities following a fatal collision with a small boat off the Corinth Canal on Sept. 5.
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the collision occurred about five nautical miles east of the Corinth Canal shortly after midnight, when the yacht, carrying six U.S. passengers and 11 Greek crewmembers, struck a small boat carrying two Greek nationals. The small boat sank following the collision. The Coast Guard did not identify the yacht by name, but other local reports have named the vessel as the 50-meter Barents.
After the collision, the crew recovered both men from the water in the yacht’s tender and transported them ashore, where they were met by emergency medical personnel and taken to Corinth General Hospital. One of the men was unconscious and was later pronounced dead. The second man was injured.
The yacht proceeded under its own power to facilities at the Isthmus, but the Isthmia Port Authority subsequently prohibited its departure pending presentation of a seaworthiness certificate. The yacht’s Greek captain was arrested as part of the preliminary investigation into potential violations, including negligent homicide, causing a shipwreck, serious bodily harm, and collision-prevention regulations.
Following a Port State Control inspection conducted by an authorized inspector under the Paris MoU, significant deficiencies concerning the yacht’s compliance with international conventions were identified. According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, this resulted in the vessel being detained.
The 2nd Port Department of Isthmia of the Corinth Port Authority, which is conducting the preliminary investigation, has also initiated proceedings for the applicable administrative sanctions.
Local media reports have also indicated that authorities are investigating whether the smaller vessel was displaying the required navigation lights at the time of the collision. This has not been confirmed by the Hellenic Coast Guard’s report.
