Samothrace port authorities resort to prosecutor for Saos and Saonissos ferries issue

According to sources, the prosecutor will probably ask for a preliminary examination.

The enfine failure of both ferries since August 11 created severe issues on Samothrace, as visitors could not leave the island and supplies could not be restored.

An interim solution is provided by the ferry "Zefyros" and the catamaran "Andros Jet", as the government is holding a meeting at Maximos Mansion to find a long-term solution to the issue.

The owner of the two disabled ships have also been summoned by Shipping and Island Policy Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis to give explanations.

According to Shipping Ministry sources, the ten-year contracts with the company for the winter period are subsidised and expire on October 31, 2019.

Hoteliers Federation asks state to promote Samothrace tourism

The Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers raised the issue of survival for the tourist enterprises and the professionals of Samothrace due to the island's long isolation from the mainland, following a breakdown of the two ferries connecting the island with Alexandroupolis.

In a plea to the state and the responsible ministries, the Federation called for the immediate and final resolution to the island's link with the mainland and requested the total restoration of the island's ferry service.

In parallel, it pointed out the need for the cleaning, extension and modernisation of the ports that should have been completed a long time ago.

At the same time the Federation noted that Samothrace's tourist promotion needs to be enhanced immediately due to the negative publicity on foreign media related to the stranding of island visitors for several days.

Finally, the federation asks for relief measures and support of the islanders who in the last two years have been plagued by extreme weather conditions, with the recent isolation of the island leading them to despair.