Greece - Instructions on Migrants

[Melody]

We've received a letter from the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine advising us of the correct course of action to take if we come across any boats with migrants.

I thought it might be useful to post an English translation here for others sailing in Greece, either on their own boat or chartering, so they know what to do. Please note the warning about picking people up. I know of boats that have been impounded for rescuing people without notifying the authorities. If you charter, the clause about not carrying anyone not on the crew list is always part of the agreement you sign.

Instructions how to tackle illegal immigrants

In case of a Search and Rescue (SAR) situation:

• The closest Hellenic Coast Guard authority in the vicinity should be alerted either via VHF (channels 12 or 16) or through a phone call.
• The Joint Search & Rescue Coordination Center of the Hellenic Coast Guard must also be alerted by phone call to +302131371704.

In case illegal immigrants have been spotted on a ship at sea in a situation other than SAR:

• The closest Hellenic Coast Guard authority in the vicinity should be alerted either via VHF (channels 12 or 16) or through a phone call.
• The Operations Center of the Hellenic Coast Guard must also be alerted by phone call to +302131371627.

In every case, you should note that, in principle, it is forbidden to carry onboard anyone else other than those specifically mentioned in a yacht’s crew list. In a rescue situation, Skippers will have to provide assistance, but only after they inform the authorities, as they risk their yacht being confiscated up until proven extra passengers onboard were part of a rescue operation, not human trafficking.

Ideally, skippers should alert the ship owner first of all.

We also have MMSI numbers for the various Port Authorities to call - the table hasn't copied properly but I hope you can understand it.

MMSI PORT AUTHORITIES

PORT AUTHORITY CALL CODE PORT AUTHORITY CALL CODE
AG.KIRIKOS 237673810 LEFKAS 237673570
AG.NIKOLAOS 237673110 LEROS 237673570
AIDIPSOS 237673280 MEGISTIS 237673580
AIGINA 237673270 MILOS 237673590
AIGIO 237673280 MINISTRY 237673000
ALEXANDROUPOLIS 237673310 MITILINI 237673220
ANDROS 237673320 MYKONOS 237673610
ANTIKIRA 237673330 MYRINA 237673240
ASTYPALAIA 237673340 MYTHIMNA 237673760
CHIOS 237673750 N.VION 237673630
CORFU 237673190 NAXOS 237673620
ELEUSINA 237673370 NIDRI LEFKAS 237673880
FOURNOI IKARIAS 237673840 PAROS 237673640
GAVRIO 237673350 PATMOS 237673790
GYTHEIO 237673360 PATRA 237673140
HALKIDA 237673120 PILOS 237673230
HGOUMENITSA 237673390 PIRAEUS 237673650
HRAKLEIO 237673180 POLYXNITOU 237673660
IERAPETRA 237673250 PYTHAGOREIO 237673670
IERISSOS 237673420 RAFINA 237673680
ISTHMIA 237673430 RETHYMNO 237673690
ITEA 237673440 RHODES 237673150
ITHAKI 237673770 SAMOS 237673260
KALAMATA 237673460 SAMOTHRAKI 237673820
KALYMNOS 237673470 SITIA 237673710
KARPATHOS 237673480 SKYROS 237673830
KARYSTOS 237673490 STYLIDA 237673720
KASOS 237673510 SYMI 237673780
KATAKOLO 237673520 SYROS 237673730
KAVALA 237673450 THESSALONIKI 237673210
KEFALLINIA 237673530 THIRA 237673410
KOS 237673160 TINOS 237673740
KYMI 237673540 VOLOS 237673170
LAVRIO 237673550 ZAKYNTHOS 237673380

 

[duncan99210]

Tends to reinforce what the CA have said, which is essentially to stand off and call in the situation to the SAR authorities rather than trying to rescue directly.

 

[Tony Cross]

Very many thanks for this Melody. I have posted it on the Cruising Association forums as well. Very useful info.

 

[NornaBiron]

That's all very well and good but not at all helpful when you have an unknown number of people in the water all around your boat in pitch darkness and no-one answering channel 16, Mayday or telephone calls. I speak from experience. Eventually we managed to get someone from Falmouth coastguard to pick up the phone and relay our message to Olympia radio.

Luckily we were near a beach so there was no need to bring people onto our boat, some of them did need to be ferried to the beach in the dinghy though (before I managed to get through to the authorities).

So a cautionary note would be to have Falmouth Coastguard's number saved in your phone.