Blue Horizon: Attica Group CEO Resigns After Drowning of Antonis Karyotis

Spyros Paschalis.

Attica Group CEO Spyros Paschalis stepped down from his position on Thursday following the tragic death of Antonis Karyotis at the port of Piraeus.

Karyotis, 36, on Tuesday was pushed into the waters of the port by crew members when he tried to board the Blue Horizon ferry, owned by Attica Group, right when it was about to depart for Crete. He then drowned as the ferry departed from the port. The captain of the Blue Horizon as well as three crew members have been charged with offences.

In its latest statement, Attica Group announced the resignation of Paschalis who had been with the company for some 20 years. Panagiotis Dikaios, the current Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Attica Group, has temporarily assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer. The Group’s Board of Directors is expected to convene soon and announce a new CEO.

Regarding Karyotis’ death, the company said it would conduct an internal inquiry on the events surrounding Antonis Karyotis’ drowning. Independent external consultants will assist with the inquiry so as to ensure that procedures and protocols of the Group “will never be violated by anyone again,” Attica Group said .

Meanwhile, the Blue Horizon ferry has stopped operating the Piraeus – Heraklion route. The ship was replaced by the Elyros of ANEK Lines.

Archive photo of the Blue Horizon ferry at Piraeus Port.

The tragic incident that occurred at the port of Piraeus triggered public outrage with protests in Heraklion and Piraeus .

Furthermore, the Greek Seamen’s Federation (PNO) announced a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, September 13, in connection with the events that occurred on the ramp of the Blue Horizon and led to the death of Karyotis.

PNO is calling for the safety of maritime transport and the protection of human life.

The federation said that it would offer its support to Karyotis’ family and highlighted that the behavior of the seamen of the Blue Horizon does not represent the vast majority of Greek seamen.

Wednesday’s strike will affect all ship categories and ferry routes across Greece.