The municipal faction of the major opposition «All Together, Kythira - Antikythera» issued a sharp press release regarding the cancellation of the ship's approach AQUA JEWEL at the port of Kythera on December 1st. The incident, which affected dozens of passengers, highlights, according to the party, chronic weaknesses of the ferry connection and the long-standing neglect to improve the port infrastructure.
The statement calls for immediate information on the causes of the incident, noting that excuses about weather conditions are not sufficient, especially when the ship Porphyrousa approached normally on the same day. Furthermore, it calls for an upgrade of the category of ships serving the Piraeus-Kithira-Antikythera-Crete line and accuses the municipal authority of inefficiency and lack of action.
Read the bulletin below:
Kythera, Monday 02 December 2024
PRESS RELEASE
«ALL TOGETHER, KYTHERA - ANTI-KYTHERA»
Shipping: No one can play with our lives...
-For once again the 1η December the ship AQUA JEWEL did not approach Kythera, inconveniencing dozens of passengers and causing financial damage to many businesses and workers.
-For once again the Kytherians are left in the dark about the reasons for non-approach. A simple «due to bad weather conditions» is not enough. Did a problem occur (e.g. anchor) or are the ship's capabilities limited? In the recent past other ships with less favourable conditions have made the route normally. On the same day the vessel PORFYROUSA made a normal approach. The logic of «we go where it goes» cannot continue. No one can play with our lives.
-For once again highlights the need for improvement works in the port of Diakofti.
-For once again highlights the need for an alternative port of approach when conditions dictate.
-For once again the Municipal Authority of our islands proves to be inadequate and ineffective. The Mayor should leave the «crises of grandeur» and finally deal with the problems of our country.
We formally call on all relevant bodies to address the problem.
We call on the Shipping Council to decide on the upgrade of the vessel category that will take over the Piraeus-Kythira-Antikythira-Crete route. Recently the Council (of which the Mayor of Kythera, Mr. Harhalakis, is a member) decided unanimously Class 3 vessels can participate in the tenders to secure the line. The Mayor should inform us whether he voted at this meeting or abstained. In both cases he is accountable to the Cypriots. We demand that the category of vessels participating in the tenders for this line be upgraded. Kythirians and Antikytherians are not second-class citizens.
