Greece: Authorities without a sense of proportion

This year, there have already been two unusual cases in which the Greek state has been disproportionately harsh on owners and charter customers in the event of technical defects on the ship. In the most recent case, a sailor had an engine failure on the ship because the impeller of the water pump was defective. After unsuccessful repair attempts on the water in wind and waves on his own, the skipper decided to ask the local harbour authority for towing assistance to the berth in the port of Patmos. At no time was there any danger to the life and limb of the crew or the safety of the ship.

In the harbour, the crew then calmly replaced the defective impeller of the water pump. To their great astonishment, the harbour police suddenly sprang into action, banned the German owner's boat from leaving the harbour and put it on the chain due to technical problems.

The boat was not technically leak-proof. The authorities' demand: The owner was to have the impeller replacement carried out by himself approved by a specialised workshop as having been carried out correctly. Subsequently, an expert had to be appointed via the German consulate at the owner's expense, who had to make a special journey and confirm that the repair had been carried out properly. The whole thing went on for no less than 4 days, during which the boat was not allowed to set sail.

As the German embassy could do nothing with the corresponding enquiry, the German owner finally agreed with the harbour police that he could appoint an expert. The yacht was only released after the expert's written report. Particularly on remote islands, this procedure can be expensive for those affected - 3000 to 4000 euros is quite possible, as cruiser department representative for Greece, Achim Rollhäuser, confirmed to YACHT.

"The seaworthiness of the boat must be guaranteed. But this is not the case, at least not for the state, with a private repair. Until everything has been clarified, there is no sailing licence." Rollhäuser's advice: Don't inform the authorities in the event of problems, as they often make impractical decisions. Anchor the boat outside the harbour and try to repair it from there. Then the harbour police won't notice.