Incorrect mapping information has been blamed by Louis Hellenic Cruises for the sinking of the cruise ship Sea Diamond off Santorini in April.
The results of a detailed hydrographic survey of the area of the accident have revealed that the reef, which the ship struck, was lying at a distance of 131 meters from shore and not at a distance of 57 meters as it is incorrectly marked on the nautical chart, the company said.
“The aforementioned findings demonstrate that based on the said nautical chart, the vessel was on a safe course during the approaching to her assigned mooring position in Santorini,” a statement said.
“It is evident from the above findings that the cause of the accident was the erroneous mapping information contained in the nautical chart.”
by Phil Davies
