Baggywrinkles1
Well-Known Member
It depends on whose line it was. You should never ever accept the the other persons tow line, or a salvage claim will ensue.
Charter YHacht Skipper Receives Summons from Greek Court.ossible Imprisonment
- Thread starter Steve C Cronin
- Start date
Melody
Well-Known Member
In order to charter he would have either had to produce a licence or sign a declaration saying that he was competent so this idea is a non-starter. He would also have to sign a charter agreement which contains a clause about accepting the laws of Greece.
I'd suggest he gets a good Greek lawyer and I'm sure they could can help him.
Tell him it will probably take years for anything to happen anyway ...
Carmel2
Well-Known Member
"or sign a declaration saying that he was competent"
In this case do they get a small test? A quick run out to show they can tie up, or even control the boat etc?
In this case do they get a small test? A quick run out to show they can tie up, or even control the boat etc?
Steve C Cronin
N/A
It is indeed a lawless place full of aggressive tripper boat skippers to whom yachts are invisible and certainly can't rely upon the International Rules for their safety.
Rule #1 when encountering a Greek vessel who is supposed to give way to you:-
HE WILL NOT!
(and certainly don't expect the Greek authorities to side with you, they won't)
BTW, the guy has a court appearance date for next month, 15th I think. He has returned to the UK but he want's to know what to do NOW!
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RichardS
N/A
I had corporate dealings with the legal systems in both Greece and Italy in my old job and, from my experience, the legal systems of both these countries are complete basket cases.
There are so many stories I could relate, having spent hours in meetings with lawyers in those countries.
Just one - a branch office with a Greek branch manager. The evidence was convincing that the guy was on the fiddle. He was suspended by a non-Greek senior manager from our head office in Athens, who was then visited by the police and arrested and taken to jail because the suspended manager had reported that head office guy was also on the fiddle. Not true and no proof and, in most jurisdictions, not a criminal matter anyway. We got the guy back to work but the "case" went on for years. It turned out that the local distirct judge was the bent employees brother-in-law or something. The whole thing was a sick joke unless you happened to be the guy in the slammer.
My advice to the Skipper would be ..... don't return to Greece ..... ever!
Richard
Steve C Cronin
N/A
"They disgrace the robes they wear" as one local legal and land professional put it to me last night in John Humphrey's "favourite" taverna on the Methoni peninsula!
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Tony Cross
Well-Known Member
I don't believe that's completely true. If you make it clear at the time that you are contracting with him for a tow he (or she) has no salvage claim.
sailaboutvic
Well-Known Member
If clear to me and most people who have sailed in Greece for any length of time , the best thing any one can do is keep away from the PP , all then newbe who have been asking question about do I have to stamp out , how many time a month do I need to get a stamp . just enjoy Greece forget about all the stamping stuff and when the day come that your asked why you having had a stamp , just bland it on the advise that was given from another PP else where .
We not had a stamp for nearly two years and through we get one when return back from Croatia because we plain to spend some of the winter here , other wise we wouldn't , big mistake , three time we had to visit the PP because every time there was a notice on the door saying back soon , when we did get hold of her , she was more Interested in show us their new booklet , which explain almost nothing , then she give me one stamp , when asked about the other stamp , we was told you only need one stamp now , I explain it should be an in and out stamp , the reply was , you only need one , OK so what one to do , ? no good argue with her , it not going to get you any where , SO we will deal with the problem in a few years time next time I decide to obey the law .
www.bluewatersailorcroatia.webs.com
We not had a stamp for nearly two years and through we get one when return back from Croatia because we plain to spend some of the winter here , other wise we wouldn't , big mistake , three time we had to visit the PP because every time there was a notice on the door saying back soon , when we did get hold of her , she was more Interested in show us their new booklet , which explain almost nothing , then she give me one stamp , when asked about the other stamp , we was told you only need one stamp now , I explain it should be an in and out stamp , the reply was , you only need one , OK so what one to do , ? no good argue with her , it not going to get you any where , SO we will deal with the problem in a few years time next time I decide to obey the law .
www.bluewatersailorcroatia.webs.com
jimbaerselman
Well-Known Member
The Cruising Association has found the sufferer two bilingual lawyers who deal in both criminal and maritime matters, both based in Athens. His choice which he will use.
Melody
Well-Known Member
My original comments were tongue in cheek which may have gone slightly over your head!
Yes it did, sorry, it was late night when I read your comment ... and people do say things like that and mean them sometimes.
Absolutely correct. The charter companies often don't own the yachts so, if they get damaged, it's the poor owner's responsiblity, not the charter company. Sometimes charterers sign a declaration of competence in Greek (to cover the charter company with the insurers) without even knowing they have done it ... "Just sign here please" .... and they do. many years ago I came across a lawyer who worked for a major UK firm of solicitors who'd signed one of these without having a clue what it said.
I believe you. If it was a big company they may have 'a special arrangement' with the PP. I think things are tightening up but I've still heard of places where this happens. One flotilla company until recently used to make a selling point of the fact that you didn't need any experience!
A good rule in the Ionian especially and applies to many other parts of Greece as well.
As someone who runs an RYA school I couldn't possibly comment on that
Melody
Well-Known Member
The case will quite probably be adjourned several times so make sure he asks the lawyer if he actually needs to attend.
jimbaerselman
Well-Known Member
Thanks Melody, all in hand. After 15 years doing business in Greece, I'm all too familiar with the routine!