‘Kallisto’ was towed to the Salamina Naval Station – The stern was cut off – Society

The Navy minesweeper Kallisto has been at the Salamina Naval Station since noon, which after colliding with the MAERSK LAUNCESTON freighter carrying a container, presented a water inlet and was towed from a tugboat in the specific place.

According to the latest information from the collision, the stern of the warship was cut and bent. In fact, the damage caused to the minesweeper was great, as “Kallisto” is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic (GRP) to minimize the magnetic trail. This material is high strength but not sheet metal.

Two people on the warship, totaling 27 people, were slightly injured in the collision and were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

At the point of the collision there was little marine pollution, mainly from the small amounts of wreckage from the warship and the small amount of fuel that leaked out.

Private vessels of a floating dam anti-pollution company carried out the removal of specific materials and fuels to collect and remove them. The MAERSK LAUNCESTON freighter has been banned from sailing until the damage is repaired, while the preliminary investigation process for the specific maritime accident is ongoing.

The prosecution has already been informed about the matter and so far no arrests have been made. There was no navigator on the freighter because it was already leaving the port.

The chronicle of the conflict

The Navy ship collided at 07:30 am on Tuesday 10/27 with a merchant ship outside the port of Piraeus.

In particular, the “Maersk Launceston” freighter with the Portuguese flag, carrying a container, collided with the Navy minesweeper “Kallisto”.

The Chamber of Operations was immediately informed in the Ministry of Navigation and reinforcements with tugs from the Salamina Naval Base rushed to the place. The “Kallisto” had taken a slope and caused severe damage to the stern, which was “cut off” during the fierce collision.

The warship was carrying 27 people, two of whom were slightly injured. Its collection operation was completed shortly before 9 a.m., and all of the warship’s crew members were transported ashore by two Coast Guard boats. The two injured were taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution.

Until now, the circumstances in which the two ships collided are unknown. What has been known is that the merchant, leaving the Cosco facilities with a speed of 6.6 nautical knots, “collided” with the stern of the warship, causing a rupture and an influx of water.

“Kallisto”

“Kallisto” is one of 12 HUNT minesweepers that were built by the VOSPER THORNYCROFT shipyard in Portsmouth, England. It is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic (GRP) to minimize magnetic footprint and high strength.

It was launched in June 1987 and returned to active operation in March 1989. It was received by the British Navy under the name HMSBERKELEY and has M – 40s. On February 6, 2001 the ship was received by the Greek crew in Portsmouth, England. On February 28, 2001 he was received by PLOTARCHIS RS SALVETA PN and received the name of N / THI KALLISTO (M – 63).