Greece unrest causing concern among captains
In the light of its latest crack down on illegal immigration, Greece is starting to become a cause of concern for some superyacht captains whose charters find them headed towards the Med.…
Greece: a country cracking down on illegal immigration and a country very popular for superyacht charters - not an ideal mix. One superyacht captain contacted The Crew Report and shared his concerns about its impact on the superyacht industry.
In August 2012 the Hellenic Police Force launched Operation Xenios Zeus, aiming to tackle illegal immigration levels, and according to a media release by the Hellenic Police Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection in October 2012, since the operation’s launch, of 34,992 foreigners 3,064 were arrested due to not meeting legal requirements. This attempt to crackdown on illegal immigration, the captain told The Crew Report, should be of great concern to the superyacht industry, due to the severe impact this is having upon tourists who are legally entitled to be in the country, with at least two reportedly being badly beaten, according to a media source.
At the end of 2012 the US Department of State announced it had updated its “Threats to Safety and Security” section of its Greece Country Specific Information page, which now reads: “There has been a rise in unprovoked harassment and violent attacks against persons who, because of their complexion, are perceived to be foreign migrants. Travellers are urged to exercise caution, especially in the immediate vicinity of Omonia Square from sunset to sunrise.”
Popy Kaia, charter director at Atalanta Golden Yachts and chair of MYBA East Med Liaison Committee, explained the Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Tourism have provided to the relevant authorities clear instructions so as to cause the lease possible disturbance to pleasure yachts and charter vessels, but this captain is more concerned about his crew and guests when they step ashore.
However, according to the captain who contacted The Crew Report: “This story is well out in the public domain. Recently much has been written in The Superyacht Report and elsewhere, and has been spoken about at yachting events, on the subject of ethics in our industry. How does this apply in this instance?
“I have spoken with several other captains regarding the new stop-and-identify situation in Greece. There is general accord that a duty of care burden now falls on us regarding how we organise and regulate shore visits by our crew and guests if cruising in Greece during the 2013 season. The outer islands, away from Athens and other mainland cities, will probably be more of a comfort zone.”
Other charter houses with which The Crew Report spoke did not appear to be aware of the severity of the situation in Athens. Perhaps they merely didn’t have enough information on the matter, or perhaps they weren’t aware of the serious impact the current state of the country could have upon the charter industry.
With lots of charter bookings for the Eastern Mediterranean this captain was fairly certain he would be travelling to Greece in the coming summer season. “As with any risk assessment, out approach as an industry should be founded on responsibility without panic, caution without paranoia. On this score, out of general security concerns I would minimise all contact with Athens for my yacht at the present time.” However, with many of the yacht’s summer season charter bookings set for the Eastern Mediterranean the captain was fairly certain he would be returning to Greece this year. “I intend to cruise there circumspectly in the coming season,” said the captain who strongly advocated the monitoring of the situation by everyone in the superyacht industry.
In August 2012 the Hellenic Police Force launched Operation Xenios Zeus, aiming to tackle illegal immigration levels, and according to a media release by the Hellenic Police Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection in October 2012, since the operation’s launch, of 34,992 foreigners 3,064 were arrested due to not meeting legal requirements. This attempt to crackdown on illegal immigration, the captain told The Crew Report, should be of great concern to the superyacht industry, due to the severe impact this is having upon tourists who are legally entitled to be in the country, with at least two reportedly being badly beaten, according to a media source.
At the end of 2012 the US Department of State announced it had updated its “Threats to Safety and Security” section of its Greece Country Specific Information page, which now reads: “There has been a rise in unprovoked harassment and violent attacks against persons who, because of their complexion, are perceived to be foreign migrants. Travellers are urged to exercise caution, especially in the immediate vicinity of Omonia Square from sunset to sunrise.”
Popy Kaia, charter director at Atalanta Golden Yachts and chair of MYBA East Med Liaison Committee, explained the Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Tourism have provided to the relevant authorities clear instructions so as to cause the lease possible disturbance to pleasure yachts and charter vessels, but this captain is more concerned about his crew and guests when they step ashore.
However, according to the captain who contacted The Crew Report: “This story is well out in the public domain. Recently much has been written in The Superyacht Report and elsewhere, and has been spoken about at yachting events, on the subject of ethics in our industry. How does this apply in this instance?
"There is general accord
that a duty of care burden now falls on us regarding how we organise and
regulate shore visits by our crew and guests if cruising in Greece during the
2013 season." - Superyacht captain
“I have spoken with several other captains regarding the new stop-and-identify situation in Greece. There is general accord that a duty of care burden now falls on us regarding how we organise and regulate shore visits by our crew and guests if cruising in Greece during the 2013 season. The outer islands, away from Athens and other mainland cities, will probably be more of a comfort zone.”
Other charter houses with which The Crew Report spoke did not appear to be aware of the severity of the situation in Athens. Perhaps they merely didn’t have enough information on the matter, or perhaps they weren’t aware of the serious impact the current state of the country could have upon the charter industry.
With lots of charter bookings for the Eastern Mediterranean this captain was fairly certain he would be travelling to Greece in the coming summer season. “As with any risk assessment, out approach as an industry should be founded on responsibility without panic, caution without paranoia. On this score, out of general security concerns I would minimise all contact with Athens for my yacht at the present time.” However, with many of the yacht’s summer season charter bookings set for the Eastern Mediterranean the captain was fairly certain he would be returning to Greece this year. “I intend to cruise there circumspectly in the coming season,” said the captain who strongly advocated the monitoring of the situation by everyone in the superyacht industry.
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