The Kerem S ran aground at Levitha’s northeastern tip right between Kos and Paros, 16 miles west of Leros, on the 20th of February, 2015 at 5.45 p.m. local time. The unloaded ship was sailing from Heraklion to Aliaga.

The Kerem S suffered several malfunctions during the morning at about 4,5 miles west of Patmos. The vessel then started drifting towards the rocky coast of Levitha.

Kerem S aground

Its 6-man crew was evacuated with the use of a Super Puma helicopter belonging to the Greek airforce. The appointed helicopter took off at 6 p.m. local time in harsh weather conditions with winds of 7-8 Beaufort.

The evacuation process was finished successfully at 7.15 p.m. The six crew members, out of which five were of Turkish nationality and one Greek, were then transported to the Kos Hospital in order to receive medical checks. They arrived at the hospital at 7.35 p.m.

The lifeboat Os.El.Akt and a Piraeus tug were also deployed to the scene of the incident. No spillage was noted, but the vessel was in danger of sinking as it had begun listing badly to starboard with its stern submerged.