Sentencing of Captain and First Officer: Blue Horizon Ferry Drowning Case Update

In a significant ruling by the Piraeus Mixed Jury Court, the captain and first officer of the Blue Horizon ferry received prison sentences in connection with the drowning of passenger Antonis Karyotis in September 2023. The first officer was sentenced to 12.5 years for manslaughter, while the captain was given a 7-year and 5-month sentence for allowing the ferry to set sail after the incident. The court denied their requests to have their sentences suspended, mandating that they start serving immediately.

On September 5, 2023, Karyotis, a 36-year-old passenger, attempted to board the ferry from Port Piraeus-Athens as it was leaving for Heraklion (Crete). While running to catch the ferry, he was confronted by a crew member and was pushed off the ramp into the water. Tragically, he drowned after being caught in the ferry’s wake while crew and passengers watched. The ferry continued its journey and returned to port approximately 40 minutes later, only after being instructed by authorities.

Prosecutors initially charged four crew members: the captain, the first officer, the second officer, and the boatswain. The jury convicted the first officer of manslaughter, leading to his lengthy prison sentence. The captain was found guilty of enabling the ferry’s departure after the fatality and attempting to cover up the incident. Conversely, the second officer and boatswain were acquitted, as video evidence revealed their limited roles during the altercation.

The incident had wider repercussions, sparking politically charged reactions. Greece’s shipping minister, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, tendered his resignation following backlash over his remarks about the event. Spyridon Paschalis, the CEO of Attica Group, the parent company of Blue Horizon, also resigned.

This case has initiated vital discussions about crew training, passenger safety measures, and the responsibilities of ferry operators. It highlights the critical need for rigorous safety protocols and the importance of prompt and proper emergency responses to avert similar tragedies in the future.

For more information about this incident, visit the ship’s CruiseMinus page.

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