Express Samina
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Express Samina was a RORO passenger ferry (built in 1966) that operated in Greece and sunk in the evening (22.20) on Tuesday 26 September 2000 near the island of Paros. Eighty of the over 500 passengers were lost at sea. The fact that the crew did not help the passengers evacuate the sinking ferry contributed to the death toll.
The Samina ran aground on a well-known islet after the crew set the ferry on auto-pilot, leaving the bridge (to watch Panathinaikos in the UEFA Champions League, as rumour has it). They deployed two stabilisers to counteract the waves; a mechanical failure caused only the starboard (right side) stabilizer to deploy, causing the ship to drift to starboard. When she first crashed into the Gates of Paros it created a large gash on the starboard side 1m high above the water line. When the stabiliser hit the rock, it created a second large hole in the ship below the water line near the engine room. This second hole caused water to flow into the engine room, knocking out power and preventing the water tight doors from being closed remotely. As 9 out of the 11 water tight doors were open (a breach of the safety procedure), the water was able to flood the ship, causing it to list to starboard. Once she had rolled to a 14 degree angle, water was able to enter the first hole, causing the ship to sink.
Several crew members as well as representatives for the owners were subsequently charged with different criminal charges, including manslaughter and negligence. The trial commenced late July 2005.
