Electric Shocks in Katakolon

[photon]

Last week we witnessed the stress and humiliation of two British yacht owners. They were charged with "stealing" electricity after a complaint was made to the Port Police by and "anonymous" party who took photographs and registered a complaint agains these two yachts who had simply moored stern-to and then plugged into the shore power ( a perfectly normal and everyday event anywhere else in Greece)

Ships papers were impounded and both owners were forced, by the Port Police, to appear in front of a prosecutor the next day. To their relief they were both found "not guilty" by some very circutious logic that the electricity was the property of the the Greek Power Company and not of the complainant. They both lost some sleep and more than 24 hours of their life.

Nevertheless both owners (and everyone else on the quay) refrained from using the shore power thereafter.

Clearly there is some form of power-spat underway between the Port Police nd the Demas or Local Authority who now haw the responsibility for mooring fees and collecting water and electricity dues.

The Marina Office at Katakolon is shut and looks abandoned, they do not respond on VHF 12 as they used to so there is nobody acting in authority on entry, yet these two Brits were the victim of someone else's game.

A cautionary tale and easily avoided. If you must go to Katakolon, anchor off or at least avoid touching the 230V

 

[AndrewB]

Thanks for the heads up Photon. Katakolon has been one of our favourite marinas and we planned on visiting there later this season.

Just what is it with Greek marinas? Not only are so many abandoned, half-built, but a remarkable number of the established ones seem to be in deep trouble this year. Yet it ought to be a bumper year for yachting in Greece.

 

[JanZ]

What about the water in Katakolon? Still available?

 

[Mistroma]

We anchored off Katakolon a week ago and left for Kiparissia before wind turned to the South. A couple of boats arrived 2-3 days later and one mentioned having to go into the harbour when South wind arrived. No mention of any problems with electricity, perhaps he didn't use any shore power.

I'd heard that water had been turned off at Kiparissia a little while ago. However, it was connected when we were there. The last tap is nowhere near the end of the East quay, probably 100m or more before the end. I'm afraid that I've no idea about current water situation at Katakolon.

 

[photon]

Water was available from one outlet furthest south and furthest away from the old Marina office. All the rest were padlocked. Taking water from here may land one in exactly the same predicament as the unfortunates charged with stealing electricity, and I would suggest seeking clear authority to use water and/or electricity from the Port Police ( Office near the root of the Cruise Liner mole )

 

[JanZ]

"Normal" service has been restored at Katakolon now collecting at about 6pm 10€/night and 5€ for water OR electricity (10 for both)! Kiparissia has water accessible at several points along the quay.