Abandoned Ferry Drifts at Sea as Gale Force Winds Sweep Greece

Abandoned Ferry Drifts at Sea as Gale Force Winds Sweep Greece
Tasos Kokkinidis - Jan 18, 2018 http://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/01/18/abandoned-ferry-drifts-at-sea...

The Greek coast guard is struggling to bring under control an abandoned ferry that drifted off to sea just outside the port of Piraeus, south of Athens on Thursday morning.

Three tugs are trying to tie and tow the “Panagia Agiasou” vessel to a safe location after it drifted due to gale force winds that have swept southern Greece.

The ferry was laying abandoned for almost a decade at the port of Piraeus.

The winds reaching a speed of 50 mph in some parts of the Aegean on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning have forced many ships to cancel or delay their departure.

Authorities have banned the departure of ships from the ports of Lavrio and Rafina.

In mainland Greece, the fire service has intervened to clear roads from falling trees.

The Athens area and the town of Nafplio were particularly hit by the the gale force winds.