Reviews & Ratings for the Pan.paravouniotissa

On September 14, 2023, the Nea Stiri Port Authority received critical information regarding the ferry 'Panagia Paravouniotissa.' Following the completion of its loading operations, the vessel encountered a setback when its port side main engine failed to start. This issue arose while the ship was preparing for a scheduled journey to Agia Marina, carrying 276 passengers. In response to this mechanical failure, the Nea Stiri Port Department of the Karystos Port Authority imposed a sailing ban on the ferry, requiring a valid seaworthiness certificate from the relevant classification society before it could set sail again. To minimize disruptions, passengers and their vehicles were promptly accommodated on the ferry 'Dimitris' for transport to their intended destination.

On the evening of August 7, the ferry 'Panagia Paravouniotissa' was successfully refloated by tugs 'Protug 18' and 'Vernicos Skafi II', with crucial assistance from an anti-pollution vessel from the Greek Coast Guard. The salvage efforts involved an air compressor that maintained the vessel's buoyancy by feeding air into compromised hull compartments, where divers had previously identified multiple tears extending 10 to 15 meters in length. The ship-owning company had already submitted a salvage plan, and the necessary permits were approved by the Port Authority. An inspection by a classification society concluded that there was no damage to the rudders, contrary to claims made by the captain. Following the refloating, the ferry sailed without assistance to the fishing shelter of Nea Stira, where it was safely moored at coordinates 38° 10.48' N 024° 12.28', with the tugs and two patrol boats providing escort. Once at the shelter, a detailed inspection revealed only a bow crack on the starboard side, which had been sealed, and an oil boom was deployed as a preventative measure. The 1st Port Department of Nea Stira, part of the Karystos Port Authority, has suspended the vessel from further voyages until a seaworthiness certificate is presented by the overseeing classification society. In the late evening following its arrival, the ferry offloaded 35 cars and three motorcycles for return to their respective owners. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with involvement from judicial authorities, shipowner inspectors, and insurance representatives. Naval architects and experts remain on-site, documenting all necessary data for damage assessment, while passengers prepare legal actions related to the incident. For detailed reports, including photographs and videos, please visit: [Hellas Journal](https://hellasjournal.com/2025/08/xekinoun-oi-diadikasies-apokollisis-tou-ploiou-panagia-paravouniotissa-apo-tin-xera-pou-prosaraxe-anoichta-ton-styron/), [Libre](https://www.libre.gr/2025/08/07/rigmatoseis-vrethikan-sto-kitous-tou-p/), and [To Vima](https://www.tovima.com/society/grounded-ferry-boat-towed-to-safety-on-thur-evening/).

On August 6, at 1:30 p.m., a critical salvage operation was launched to refloat the 'Panagia Paravouniotissa', a ferry that ran aground on a reef in the Euboean Gulf, close to Evia island. The tugboat 'Vernicos Scafi II' (IMO: 9314349) initiated the effort to dislodge the stranded vessel, supported by divers performing essential underwater inspections. The following day, August 7, the operation expanded with the arrival of 'Protug 18' (IMO: 8410213), which departed from Ampelaika on August 6. Efforts centered on relocating vehicles aboard the ferry, allowing for the bow to be lifted off the rocky obstruction. Technicians boarded the passengers' ferry to evaluate the damage incurred during the incident. A formal investigation is underway to examine the circumstances leading to the grounding. The ship's captain, who encountered the reef off the coast of Nea Styra, has provided testimony to the Chalkida prosecutor, claiming he did not see the reef and indicated a malfunction with the ship's rudders. Following the incident, the captain is currently held in custody by the Chalkida Port Authority, facing allegations of negligent conduct resulting in a shipwreck. He has been granted until August 8 to submit a more detailed formal statement. Passengers highlighted a lack of guidance from the captain and crew during the emergency, stating they took initiative to secure life jackets and organized themselves while awaiting assistance. For further updates, please refer to the full reports with images and video links: [Ekathimerini](https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1277370/operation-underway-to-dislodge-ferry-grounded-off-evia-coast/), [The National Herald](https://www.thenationalherald.com/captain-of-greek-ferry-that-ran-aground-faces-port-authority/), [Avgi](https://www.avgi.gr/politiki/509846_tessera-eyloga-erotimata-gia-tin-prosarxi-toy-feri-mpot-poy-zitoyn-peistikes?amp), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnTQAZRdh80&t=2s), [CNN Greece](https://www.cnn.gr/ellada/story/489930/ypo-kratisi-o-kapetanios-tou-feri-bot-pou-prosarakse-se-ksera-sta-nea-styra), [Athens Voice](https://www.athensvoice.gr/epikairotita/ellada/917782/upo-kratisi-o-kapetanios-tou-feri-bot-pou-prosaraxe-se-xera-sta-nea-stura/), [To Edolio](https://toedolio5.gr/2025/08/06/archise-i-epicheirisi-rymoulkisis-tou-feri-bot-pou-prosaraxe-ston-evvoiko-vinteo/), [NPress](https://www.npress.gr/greece/ypo-kratisi-o-ploiarchos-tou-feri-bot-pou-prosaraxe-se-xera-sta-nea-styra/), [Newsbomb](https://www.newsbomb.gr/ellada/story/1669980/nea-styra-kollisan-ta-pidalia-den-eida-tin-ksera-ti-eipe-stin-apologia-o-ploiarxos), [Greek City Times](https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/08/07/nea-styra-ferry-grounding-crew-panic/).

A recent dive assessment on the ferry 'Panagia Paravouniotissa' has unveiled localized damage spanning between 10 to 15 meters of the hull. This finding indicates the presence of multiple specific damage points rather than one extensive crack. Prior to the vessel's refloating, essential repairs will be necessary. The vessel's double hull played a crucial role in preventing it from sinking, ensuring the safety of the crew members, who are currently onboard to assist in the salvage operations. To advance the recovery efforts, a detailed detachment and towing strategy is required. On August 7, two tugboats, alongside an anti-pollution ship and a Coast Guard vessel, were deployed to the location. Meanwhile, many passengers affected by the incident are staying in local hotels, awaiting the ferry's refloating so they can retrieve their vehicles and personal belongings to continue their travel and vacation plans. Frustration has been expressed by several passengers regarding a lack of official communication concerning the situation, with some reportedly discovering life jackets in hidden spots without proper guidance from the crew. For further information, including images and videos, you can visit the following links: [Popaganda](https://popaganda.gr/newstrack/greece-newstrack/paramenei-kollimeno-stin-xera-to-ploio-panagia-paravoyniotissa/), [Naftemporiki](https://www.naftemporiki.gr/maritime/1991172/nea-styra-tis-epomenes-ores-to-schedio-apomakrynsis-toy-ploioy-apo-tin-xera/), and [Ethnos](https://www.ethnos.gr/greece/article/376270/entostonepomenonoronhmetaforatoyferimpotpoyepesesexeraginetaiapokatastashtonzhmion).

On the evening of August 5, 2025, the ferry 'Panaghia Paravouniotissa' encountered a maritime mishap when it ran aground near Nea Stira, Evia, specifically in the Euboean Gulf close to Mikro Kouneli Island. The vessel was navigating from Styra to Agia Marina, carrying 105 passengers and a crew of nine. At approximately 6:50 p.m., the ferry became firmly lodged on a reef at coordinates 38° 11.10' N 024° 10.50' E, causing it to list slightly to the port side. In response, the Greek Coast Guard promptly dispatched two ships to the scene. An emergency response plan was activated just minutes later at 6:58 p.m., with passenger transfer operations initiated at 7:10 p.m. Passengers were evacuated using private boats along with the patrol vessel 'Gavdos' (IMO: 9768356), which arrived at 8 p.m. and the ferry 'Kanaris' (IMO: 7824493). A total of five private boats were mobilized to ensure the safe transfer of the passengers back to Nea Stira, with no injuries reported. However, due to limited available accommodations in the area, authorities made arrangements for 47 passengers to travel by coach to Marmari and Karystos, where they were cared for by the ferry company overnight. Some passengers opted for alternative methods of returning home, including overnight stays on the ferry 'Apostolis', which had a scheduled departure the following morning or other travel options like taxis. The 'Panaghia Paravouniotissa' experienced a minor leak leading to controlled water ingress, and a diver was called for a hull inspection. The Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy has alerted the relevant Prosecutor regarding the shipowner's delayed response to salvage operations, which took longer than 14 hours post-incident. It was revealed that the captain failed to notify the appropriate authorities about the grounding; the Unified SAR Coordination Center (EKSED) managed only to reach out to him after multiple attempts. Passengers expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of updates provided via the ship’s loudspeakers following the grounding. The captain was subsequently taken into custody for a detailed investigation into the incident.