Captain & Watch Officer Arrested After Cargo Ship MN Kostas Runs Aground Near Crete

A Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship, MN Kostas, ran aground late Thursday night near the northeastern coast of Crete, Greece, prompting a large-scale emergency response, evacuation of the entire crew, and the arrest of both the vessel’s captain and its bridge watch officer.

The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. local time on July 24, when the vessel—carrying a shipment of plaster—struck an underwater reef in the sea area between Sitia and Cape Sideros, approximately 6 nautical miles off Sitia and 3 nautical miles west of Sideros. According to an official statement by the Hellenic Coast Guard, the ship began taking on water shortly after impact.

Ship Details and Voyage

Built in 1994, the MN Kostas is a 5,800-deadweight-ton (dwt) general cargo vessel measuring 106 meters long and 15 meters wide. The ship had departed from Sitia, Crete, and was en route to Chekka, Lebanon, when the incident took place.

At the time of the grounding, it was carrying a full load of plaster, a common construction material, and was navigating through a known shipping route around the northeastern coast of Crete.

Following the grounding, a swift evacuation operation was launched. The Hellenic Coast Guard dispatched three patrol vessels, and the Sitia Port Authority mobilized additional personnel aboard a local fishing vessel named ANNA-TASIA.

Nearby fishing boats, private vessels, and merchant ships also joined the rescue efforts. All 14 crew members were safely transferred onto ANNA-TASIA and brought back to Sitia. According to reports, no injuries were sustained during the evacuation and all crew were in good health.

Salvage and Technical Support Underway

Three tugboats—Achilleas, Captain Dimitris IV, and Mentoras—arrived from Heraklion to assist in the salvage efforts. A fourth tug is expected to join the operation soon. Meanwhile, divers have been deployed to assess the ship’s structural integrity and examine the extent of damage to the reef.

As of the latest reports, no marine pollution has been detected. Authorities confirmed that environmental monitoring is ongoing, and precautionary measures are being taken to mitigate any potential fuel leaks or chemical spills.

Arrests and Legal Investigation

The Sitia Port Authority has launched an official investigation into the incident. The captain and the acting bridge officer were arrested under two Greek legal provisions:

• Article 277, Paragraph 2 of the Greek Penal Code for causing a shipwreck
• Article 225 of the Public Maritime Law Code for violating navigation safety rules, specifically those aimed at avoiding collisions or grounding

This marks a serious legal response, indicating preliminary findings of navigational error or negligence.

📋 Prior History of Labor Violations
This is not the first time MN Kostas has been under scrutiny. Earlier this year, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) flagged the vessel for labor violations. According to ILO records, crew members were only receiving half their wages over a four-month period, with total dues amounting to approximately $18,500. The matter was eventually resolved after intervention, but it raised concerns about compliance and vessel management.