Unfortunately, ungoverned and abandoned boats are mirrored in ungoverned states. As we reported on September 20, one of the traffickers' boats was still abandoned on the rocky shores of Kapsali, specifically in Piso Gialos. Our readers expressed their concern about the pollution that the boat could cause once strong winds began to batter it.
Indeed, since yesterday, September 27, 2022, the boat has been completely destroyed and pieces of it, along with debris (plywood, mattresses, Styrofoam) and other pollutants, have been scattered along the coast. As we were told today, ordinary citizens collected what they could, mainly in the bay of Piso Gialos.
At the same time, another boat has been abandoned in Limniona, with all the dangers that this may entail.
The citizens who contacted us speak of indifference and neglect and wonder where the state is. It should be noted that, apart from pollution, the abandoned vessels, if stored in a safe place, could generate revenue for the state through the Public Property Management Directorate (formerly ODY) of the Ministry of Finance, which, as the competent authority, would auction them off.
What happens to confiscated vessels
As provided for by law, confiscated vessels are temporarily stored at the premises of bailiffs, who later receive a percentage of the total sale price for their storage services. Unfortunately, the Public Property Management Directorate (formerly ODY) of the Ministry of Finance conducts auctions at an extremely slow pace, creating problems in the ports where the vessels are stored. The problem with delays in auctions is a concern for port authorities and port funds in many areas of the country. A typical example is Kalamata, where last year the port was turned into a «graveyard» for boats.
