FILE PHOTO: Maersk Launceston. Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Wayne A Court
The captain of the Maersk Launceston has been arrested following the ship’s collision with a Greek Navy minesweeper on Tuesday near Piraeus, Greece.
An update from the Hellenic Coast Guard on Wednesday said the captain has been charged with crimes related to causing a shipwreck due to negligence.
The Maersk Launceston had just departed Piraeus when it collided with the Greek Navy minesweeper Kallisto around 7:30 a.m. local time. The Kallisto was badly damaged in the accident and nearly sank, but amazingly only two of its 27 crew members were injured.
The 266-meter Maersk Launceston was not damaged in the accident. As of Wednesday, the ship remained detained in Piraeus as the preliminary investigation continues.
The MV Maersk Launceston is a 4,533 TEU capacity containership on charter to Maersk. The vessel had just departed Piraeus to the Turkish port of Canakkale with 22 crew members when the collision occurred.
Maersk Launceston’s manager, John T. Essberger, provided the following update:
Managers John T. Essberger report that its managed container vessel Maersk Launceston is currently alongside its lay-by berth in the port of Pireaus, Greece following yesterday’s collision with the naval vessel Kallisto. Maersk Launceston has been requested to remain in the area for the time being. Last night additional interviews have been conducted with the crew by local authorities who have meanwhile officially charged the master of the container ship in relation to the incident. A representative of the company has been attending the vessel in order to provide support to the master and crew.
The exact details of the incident which took place early on Tuesday, October 27 are yet unclear. Greek authorities are continuing their investigations to which John T. Essberger will offer its full cooperation.
Managers again would like to express their concern over the injuries of the crew of Kallisto wishing them a speedy recovery.
A first assessment of the Maersk Launceston has not shown damage to the vessel. Class will be attending the vessel this morning to inspect the ship’s seaworthiness.
gCaptain’s full coverage of the Maersk Launceston collision can be found here.
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