Port authority vessel wasn΄t authorised to to go for help

Up until the incident, the group of people had been sitting and relaxing on the small island at the cafe-bar owned by the man's family. There were also men from the Port Station present - it's a small place and everyone knows everyone else.

So it comes as a complete surprise that permission wasn't given to untie the Port Authority vessel and go and fetch either the Italian doctor from his boat anchored offshore or the Diapontia military doctor from Mathraki.

The Port Station is based in Othoni and has 15 men. There are always seven of these present. According to Deputy Mayor for Mathraki Noni Mastora, the men requested permission to sail the vessel and the Operations Centre didn't give it! Even the transportation of the body to Agios Stefanos in the early hours of the morning was undertaken by a private boat!

Each of the Diapontia Islands has a military doctor. However, on 15 July the doctor on Othoni left, having completed his period of service. The doctor on Erikoussa had left the previous month - on 15 June. So only one doctor remains in the Diapontia Islands - on Mathraki. And permission wasn't given for the Port vessel to go and fetch him.