SEA DIAMOND Captain charged with negligence
Greek authorities charge master and five others over SEA DIAMOND sinking

Greek television reports charges made against ship's master

Greek television NET reported that the captain of the SEA DIAMOND, the cruise ship that struck a reef on Thursday in the Aegean then sank the following morning, has been charged, along with five others in connection with the incident.

The charges, made by a prosecutor on the island of Naxos, include negligence, violation of international shipping safety regulations and causing pollution.

The ship's master, reports NET, claimed he was on a regular course but marine currents took the vessel off course.

The captain, chief mate, second mate, third mate, chief cabin steward, and housekeeper were arrested and charges brought forward, but all have been released pending investigations.

The Greek authorities are anxious to find out just why a vessel in good weather conditions equipped with modern safety and navigation aids could have come to grief in their waters in such a manner. Tourism being one of Greece's main industries they are justifiably upset and are determined to bring anyone found to be guilty of negligence to be brought to account "in the strictest way" Greek's tourism minister Fanny Palli Petralia is quoted as saying. She added that incidents like this "must not be allowed to occur"

Meanwhile, in a statement Louis Hellenic Cruises, SEA DIAMOND's operators said it has appointed a company specializing in the prevention and management of sea pollution, contributing to the efforts conducted by the local Greek authorities in preventing any possible environmental consequences around the wreck.

The company said 1156 passengers and 391 members of crew were on board the vessel. All passengers, with the exception of the two, previously announced missing French nationals, were safely evacuated from the cruise ship, said the statement and that with the company’s assistance are already on their way to return to their countries of origin.

The company also said that SEA DIAMOND underwent extensive refurbishment in 1999 and that she was maintained to the highest level of safety standards and was equipped with the latest navigation systems.

Louis Hellenic Cruises is in close cooperation with the relevant authorities in Greece in order to fully investigate the causes of this accident. The company said it wished to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to the local authorities for their immediate action and most appreciated assistance and that it continues to cooperate closely with the relevant authorities in Greece and is committed to fully investigating the causes of this accident.

For earlier reports see: sinking of SEA DIAMOND
grounding of  SEA DIAMOND