The towing process of the minesweeper “KALLISTO” in Salamina Naval Station is underway, following its collision with the cargo ship “MAERSK LAUNCESTON”.

From all 27 people on the vessel, two people were injured and were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

The cargo ship “MAERSK LAUNCESTON” has been banned from sailing until the damage is repaired.

“KALLISTO” is made of plastic reinforced with Fiberglass (GRP) to minimize the magnetic footprint and for durability reasons. The vessel is one of the 12 HUNT minesweeper built by VOSPER THORNYCROFT shipyards in Portsmouth, England.

The announcement of the Hellenic Coast Guard: 

The Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center of the Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard Headquarters was informed at 07:40 today about a collision between minesweeper “KALLISTO”, in which twenty seven (27) people were on board, and the cargo ship (container) “MAERSK LAUNCESTON” carrying Portugal’s flag, southeast of Piraeus.

The incident had as a result the partial flood of the minesweeper, while a rescue operation of the crew members was immediately organized by three (3) patrol boats of the Coast Guard, two (2) anti-pollution boats, an Underwater Missions team from the Hellenic Coast Guard, a Hellenic Navy vessel and helicopter and four towing vessels.

The crew members were evacuated by a patrol boat and a Hellenic Navy ship, while two the (2) injured members of the crew were evacuated to the port of Piraeus, where they were picked up by an ambulance and transported to the Athens Naval Hospital.

The Central Port Authority of Piraeus, which is conducting the preliminary investigation, banned the departure of the cargo ship carrying containers, while the towing process of the minesweeper at the Salamina Naval Station is underway.

The announcement of the General Staff of the Navy:

“On Tuesday, October 27, 2020 and around 07:30 in the sea area of ​​the Saronic Gulf, a cargo ship collided with minesweeper “KALLISTO”.

The Navy undertakes all the necessary actions to deal with the incident.

During the maritime incident, two (2) crew members were slightly injured and were taken to the Athens Naval Hospital.”

Also read: BREAKING | The “Kallisto” minesweeper of the Hellenic Navy sinks after collision with cargo ship – Photo

With information from: Kathimerini / ΑPA – MPA