Coast Guard captain on Chios: “I did not record anything because I injured my hand”

Of particular interest is the testimony of the captain of the Coast Guard vessel that was involved in the deadly tragedy claiming the lives of 15 (so far) migrants in Chios.

NEWS 24/7 is in possession of what the Coast Guard officer testified, as well as testimonies from survivors that describe an account diametrically opposed to that given by the Coast Guard.

In his testimony, the captain of the Coast Guard vessel says that such an incident had never happened to him before. He claims, as the Coast Guard has stated from the beginning, that “we had activated the audible signals to declare our identity. We were shouting STOP.”

As to how the collision occurred, the captain of the Coast Guard vessel testified: “We approached and within seconds I realised that the operator of the vessel turned towards us to the left, that is, on a southerly course. He turned sharply, made a manoeuvre, and apparently lost control, as I understand it based on my experience.” He continues: “When I felt the impact, I turned my helm to the left and then saw the boat, with punctured inflatable tubes, begin to sink.”

Asked whether there was a ship’s log on the vessel and what he himself had recorded in it, he replied: “Yes, there is. It is kept by hand by me as captain. I have not recorded anything yet because I am injured in my left hand, as I mentioned earlier, and it is difficult for me to write, even though I am right-handed.”

Regarding the issue of cameras, the investigating judge asked the captain whether there was any kind of camera on board the vessel: “There was a thermal camera at the upper rear part of the wheelhouse,” the captain replied. “It is operated by the co-captain using a controller. At night it detects thermal signatures. There is also the option to activate it during the day, which shows an image. However, at night it shows something like snow, and when it detects something there is a colour contrast. There is a recording option, but I have not been assigned a recording card for this vessel by my service, nor have I requested one.”

The investigating judge then asked whether the camera was operating during the incident: “No, we had not activated it because the weather conditions were good, with moonlight and visibility, and we did not deem it necessary given that they would distort the image of the camera. It is an auxiliary tool and is used in some cases for navigation safety. I clarify that it is not a recording camera, like a mobile phone. It could be, if I had been issued a recording card,” the Coast Guard captain testified.