Nine Convicted Over 2007 Sea Diamond Sinking

Sea Diamond against the rocks in Santorini.

A Greek court has convicted nine of a total thirteen defendants on trial for their role in the fatal 2007 sinking of the Sea Diamond cruise ship off the coast of Santorini.

The Piraeus court imposed suspended sentences Wednesday ranging from six months to just over 12 years, and acquitted another four defendants, according to a report by the Associated Press.

The strictest sentence -12 years and two months and an €8,000 fine- was handed to the ship’s captain for causing an accident, negligence that led to manslaughter, and marine pollution, the AP report says.

The Sea Diamond, owned by Louis Hellenic Cruises, ran aground along the coast of Santorini on April 5, 2007 with nearly 1,200 passengers and 400 crew. Following an evacuation of everyone onboard, the ship was towed offshore and sank on April 6. It was later reported that two French passengers went missing and were presumed dead.

Also sentenced were a DNV employee (8 years), the navigation officer (two years and 10 months), the chief engineer (two years and four months), the company’s legal representative (two years), an inspector/auditor (15 months) and a security officer (six months and a €600 fine), according to Greece’s Enet English. The first engineer officer, chief officer, chief steward and the cabin manager were all acquitted, the report says.

No attempt has ever been made to raise the ship.