In April of 2007, the cruise ship Sea Diamond struck a reef off the island of Santorini and sank. Nearly 1,600 passengers where rescued and two passengers drowned. Now four years later the Greek government has says that it cannot afford to remove the wreck, while the ship’s owner, Louis Cruise Lines, is denying all responsibly.
Santorini cruise ship wreck ‘too costly’ to remove
Responding to a question in Parliament, Marine Affairs Minister Yiannis Diamantidis said that the government cannot afford to remove the ship’s hulk.
“The ministry cannot raise this shipwreck,” he said. “We do not have the finances to do it as it will cost more than 150 million euros and this is an issue that the shipowner and insurance company have to deal with.”
Louis Cruise Lines, which owned the ship, has firmly rejected any responsibility for the sinking.
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How can the Cruise Line deny responsibility ? It either their ship or they chartered it, making them responsible along with the shipowner.
Greek shipping companies come and go like the seasons, they know the Greek authorities can do very little about making them recover the wreck. the worst that could happen is a court of law finding the captain resposible for neglegence, the owners of the vessel will still get their pay out, and the poor old Sea Diamond will remain forever on the sea bed off Santorini, I’ve worked for a Greek shipping company on several of their ships and I tell ya it is an eye opener.
One unique aspect of admiralty law is that a ship owner may limit his liability to the value of the ship after the casualty.
Limitation of shipowner’s liability
How can the Cruise Line deny the responsibility ? Anyway, the ship wreck is polluting the water and the aquatic life beneath it, hence, it should be removed at the earliest possible.
This is a very interesting ship to study about,such as the titanic:)
I was on that ship. It was terrifying for me to be on there with out my family. I was 14 years old… i lost everything on that ship
So Stupid. The Company that owns the ship should be 100 percent responsible for any costs and damage regarding The Sea Diamond.
MY WIFE AND I AND ANOTHER COUPLE WAS ON THE SEA DAIMOND WHEN IT SANK. IT TOOK 3 and I/2 hrs TO GET EVERYONE OFF THE SHIP.
THAY WAS IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON. THE WHOLD THING WAS POORLY HANDLED. IT WAS 5 AM ON APEIL THE 6TH. BEFOR THE SHIP CAN TO PICK US UP. IT WAS ABOUT 10’30 THAT NIGHT BEFOR THEY TOOK US UP TO THE TOWN TO FEED US. IF WE HAD NOT BEEN IN THE PORT AREA IT WOULD HAVE COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD OUTCOME.
THE ONLY ONE OF THE CREW’S OFFERICES WHO WE HEARD FROM AFTER HITTING THE ROCKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFF WAS THE CREW’S DIRECTOR (WHITCH WAS A LADY) THE CAPTIAN OR NONE OF THE MALE OFFERIES EVERY CAME ON THE P/A TO GIVE DIRECTIONS
OR REASURE THE PASSERAGER,S. LIKE I SAID IT WAS VERY POORLY HANDLED.