Piraeus, the country’s busiest port, was shut down briefly yesterday morning at the height of the tourist season as a bevy of divers, representatives of environmental groups and university experts was called in to help free a dolphin that had become trapped in the harbor area.

According to experts, the mammal probably followed a ferry into the port and became disoriented trying to find its way back out. Fearing the dolphin might be hit by an outgoing or incoming ship, authorities ordered the closure of the harbor. One of the experts called to the scene, University of Thessaly oceanologist Vassilis Podiadis, told Kathimerini that rescuers put together a “homemade life vest” which divers used to help ferry the dolphin out of the port. Piraeus reopened after almost an hour. Port authorities said it was the first time that they had faced such a situation.