End to a long, tense wait for the 1,246 passengers aboard the ferry Kissamos, which departed from Milos’ Adamantas port after completing mandatory technical inspections. Authorities deemed the vessel safe to resume its scheduled route — Piraeus–Milos–Souda — following a brief grounding incident early Saturday morning.
Blackout Leads to Uncontrolled Drift and Grounding
The incident began just after 3:00 a.m., when the ferry — en route from Piraeus to Milos and onward to Souda — suffered a sudden loss of electrical power, triggering a temporary blackout. The failure caused the ship’s engines to shut down, leaving it temporarily unsteerable. It drifted into shallow waters near Adamantas port, coming to rest close to shore without striking any rocks or reefs.
Though the situation sparked alarm among passengers and crew, no injuries were reported. All 1,246 passengers and 108 crew members remained safe throughout the incident.
‘It Went Dark and Drifted Uncontrolled’
An onboard passenger described the harrowing moments to newsit.gr, recounting what unfolded during the early-morning ordeal. She was traveling to Chania and shared her firsthand account:
“Right after leaving Milos port — where we were due to continue on to Chania — there was a sudden blackout. The engines cut out, and the ship drifted uncontrolled, ending up at the spot visible in the photos. It narrowly avoided hitting anything.”
She added that passengers were not immediately informed: “We weren’t told right away. It took quite some time before we were told only that there was a technical fault.”
Rapid Emergency Response
Local authorities responded swiftly. The Hellenic Coast Guard arrived on scene, joined by local fishermen and another passenger ferry standing by as backup — ready to assist if evacuation or further intervention became necessary.
By approximately 5:00 a.m., the Kissamos had refloated and returned safely to Adamantas port. There, engineers conducted extensive technical checks — including an underwater inspection by a certified diver — to assess hull integrity and rule out structural damage. Initial findings indicate no serious damage to the hull or keel.
Compensation Offered to Passengers
Passengers reported receiving compensation for the disruption: complimentary items from the onboard cafeteria and a free replacement ticket valid for travel within the next 12 months.
As of now, the Kissamos has resumed service, with all systems confirmed operational and the vessel cleared for regular operations.