Hydrofoil crashes into rocks
A hydrofoil with 75 passengers on board crashed into a reef off Cape Vatos near the central Greek port of Volos yesterday. Everyone aboard was rescued by another hydrofoil. Four people were slightly injured. Hydrofoil Flying Dolphin 24 was traveling from Skopelos and Skiathos to Volos when it hit rocks near Trikeri at the opening of the Pagasitic Gulf at 6.15 p.m. Passengers said the hydrofoil had been traveling at about 25 nautical miles per hour (46 kilometers per hour) and it was clear that it was very close to rocks. The collision tore open a gash in the vessel’s prow and it began to take on water, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. Two doctors among the passengers provided first aid to the four injured, it said. Passengers were evacuated by Flying Dolphin 18 and five crew members were taken on by a coast guard patrol boat. The captain and first mate were taken aboard another patrol boat. The captain was being questioned by officers last night. The hydrofoil later sank at the scene of the accident. Merchant Marine Minister Giorgos Paschalidis ordered an investigation.
