Questions to the Coast Guard regarding the posting of dozens of rescue videos after the shipwreck off Pylos
According to the spokesperson of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Mr. N. Alexiou, concerning the deadly and criminal shipwreck off Pylos on June 14, 2023, “at the time of the sinking, there was no possibility of recording” (statements on 20/6/2023)
Since June 14, 2023, when the devastating shipwreck off Pylos occurred, dozens of videos have been posted on the Hellenic Coast Guard’s YouTube channel, depicting the rescue of boats (primarily inflatable ones), located at sea, and carrying refugees (including many children). Some of these videos also show cases where people were already in the water.
These videos contradict the claim that there was no possibility of recording, as well as the assertion that such recording was not foreseen at the time of the sinking (statements by Mr. N. Alexiou, 20/6/2023): “The moment you monitor a ship, and things are relatively calm, the possibilities of the crew of the cargo ship that was there, or the crew of the coastal vessel, to come out on the deck of their ship and take photos or record a video with their mobile phones are completely different from when a vessel is in a situation of distress, and we all go into operational alert – to remove someone from the rescue procedure in order to record audio-visual material. The moment that it was reported that it is losing its engine, and we saw the situation that was created, the rescue vessel immediately entered into operational alert and started speeding towards the fishing boat to rescue them.”
Given the video footage available on the Hellenic Coast Guard’s YouTube channel and the statements made by the spokesperson, we have the following questions for the Coast Guard:
1) Why was absolutely no video posted from the rescue operation of the devastating shipwreck off Pylos, unlike in dozens of other cases of detection and rescue (see videos below)?
2) Why was the video footage, reportedly recorded by the captain of PPLS920 using his mobile phone from the ship’s cameras, and later broadcast on Mega TV news, not posted with the Coast Guard emblem?
3) Why was no video taken during the attempt to communicate with the individuals on board the Adriana vessel, even with a mobile phone, as was done, for example, in the incident on 14/7/2023 in Rhodes?
4) Why was no video taken at the time of Adriana’s sinking from the ship’s cameras, or even with a mobile phone, as happened, for example, in the incident on August 28, 20223, in Lesvos?
5) Why was no video taken at the time of the vessel’s sinking, by a crew member, even with their mobile phone, as was done in dozens of other incidents, e.g. on 31/7/2023, in Lesvos?
6) Why is there no video footage from the boats that the PPLS920 possesses, either from their onboard cameras or from mobile phones, as occurred, for example, in the incident on 22/8/2023, in Rhodes?
7) Does the Coast Guard confirm the claims made in the article published on 31/7/2023 by the newspaper “Ta Nea”, that the camera system on PPLS920 had a “months-long malfunction” and was not working “due to a manufacturing error and problematic maintenance”?
The following can still be answered today: is there video footage from the deadly Pylos shipwreck available to the Coast Guard and its officers?
Below are all related videos of the Coast Guard in detail:
July 7, 2023: “Rescue of foreigners in Mithymna”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/H4bqCTAxego?si=s7UxhDPkNsH0TaH6
July 13, 2023: “Detection and rescue of foreigners in Chios”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck https://youtu.be/ife7vtSAUbg?si=Fx0XYTUTl55yDruI
July 15, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 12 individuals in Rhodes”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/hV0gQX51lMA?si=kklkHLf2Cc_y5kto
July 15, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 8 individuals in Mytilini (15/07/2023)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/LxkSBHfZCvk?si=ri_P4iboxd2hjHsG
July 14, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 11 individuals in Rhodes (14/07/23)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. A conversation with the passengers is also recorded, where they request help and respond that they want to be rescued. https://youtu.be/C_31NJ2M0O4?si=2uUZrh0o6ogLV6lN
July 20, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 34 individuals in Kos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/BQvtsOsvb6o?si=KXasSXvGAq1HZ0ka
July 20, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 25 people in Kos”. The video appears to have been recorded using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/ZREuI95V0ug?si=pL9icVqQVcZuKYst
July 21, 2023: “Detection of a vessel with 22 individuals and arrest of their 33-year-old trafficker in Rhodes”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/AmjKV0l4nDs?si=Y2YEXaYUQ7xmuZrM
July 21, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 71 individuals in Karpathos”. The video appears to have been recorded using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. The individuals are seen wearing life jackets. https://youtu.be/mF2nVPUJ9Ro?si=cDjpacXLpqesHxEQ
July 25, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 36 individuals in Lesvos (25/7/23)”. The video appears to have been initially recorded by the ship’s cameras and later by a crew member on deck using a mobile phone. https://youtu.be/50IHL5lNt0s?si=eiWmWKqvgq9w_Cmh
July 27, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 13 individuals in Chios”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/jdNtVtkyB60?si=TUky4YFRMs-Q3ROz
July 27, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 25 individuals in Rhodes”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. Instructions are given to the people on board to remain calm. https://youtu.be/nVEc_97Iu08?si=h35CSoBEuMXX6Quv
July 29, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 53 individuals and arrest of six (06) traffickers in the maritime area of Lesvos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/O29KDxEx1G8?si=yTdhiqBsl7iBkrT7
July 31, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 26 individuals in Mytilene”. The footage depicts people already in the sea. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/hI5ZGQPpk4o?si=WFvrrELREYyWJuQ4
August 1, 2023: “Rescue of 13 individuals and arrest of their trafficker in Samos (08/01/23)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/EhbCXQJSgow?si=mL51CH7qlU9FTp4Q
August 1, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 15 people in the province of Lesvos (08-01-2023)”. The video is taken from a helicopter. https://youtu.be/EHowHlCCg78?si=qeb0LSMCxBZi-cVY
August 2, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 40 individuals in Lesvos and arrest of two individuals (02-08-2023)”. The video appears to have been recorded using a mobile phone by a member of the Coast Guard and later by the ship’s cameras. https://youtu.be/1YSK0esq6Wo?si=AFBeaBauCE6CIgd3
August 2, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 17 individuals in Chios”. The video appears to have been recorded using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/y4lnI4dRqzM?si=x5ULyIHCYS3CaPPP
August 2, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 14 individuals and arrest of one (01) trafficker in Samos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/sA_qGPbhiSk?si=-Xp7W0pzDapgARJ-
August 3, 2023: “Rescue of 35 individuals in Samos (3/08/2023)”. The video appears to have been recorded using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/hU6SnHWcM6I?si=AWg4xn8LJLLHpBqM
August 8, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 18 individuals in Samos (08/08/2023)”. The video appears to have been recorded using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/Ms7dk-4mfkc?si=UITOM9RZ2tEC9oTn
August 8, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 19 individuals in Samos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/nb1DqdeuqCc?si=VQB_eRLiQNERvNOz
August 9, 2023: “Rescue of 52 individuals in Falkonera’.” The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on board a coast guard vessel. https://youtu.be/8NXor_YU2Wo?si=wsyQ-cMnzB91t7nj
August 10, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 14 individuals in Mythimna, Lesvos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/YAMARFhxBV0?si=nc0JHqZvUW0lQVhD
August 11, 2023: “Wide search and rescue operation for foreigners, 43 nautical miles southwest of Pylos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. Instructions are given to the individuals on board to remain calm. https://youtu.be/Q8NivIZ_yRk?si=TDQ_6UBEcqVKeAWk
August 12, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 13 individuals and arrest of their trafficker in Rhodes (12/08/2023)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/dASzwLGBUFo?si=sGs3DlzqwusZrds_
August 13, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 48 individuals in Mytilene 13.8.23”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/hl183Jws5To?si=qzqFij9L5d7uxN2q
August 14, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 20 individuals and arrest of their 2 traffickers in Rhodes (14/08/23)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/cWtT4bDY1OU?si=Id73F_DR7ZaLzvu8
August 16, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 11 individuals in the area of AGRIELIA,’ Lesvos, on 16.8.23”. The people are already in the water. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/wxoZNsqL8eQ?si=BYaDSABYSznM8VB5
August 17, 2023: “Detection and rescue of foreigners in the maritime area approximately 10 nautical miles southeast of Amorgos (17/07/23)”. There seems to be a typo in the date, depicted as 17/08/23. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/8jsbZK9bciM?si=OlnylPAJM_7-UIwg
August 19, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 41 individuals in Lesvos (19/08/23)”. The people are already in the water. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck and by another person in a small boat. https://youtu.be/v9IS2F1-Ygs?si=47YlbRfK08hArioV
August 19, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 17 individuals and the arrest of their trafficker in Samos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/CNsXJML7-hI?si=aHhSujWoGo_o5P9D
August 20, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 29 individuals east of Farmakonisi”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/wGqfzteeAKM?si=idypE_ExqenmEHCA
August 20, 2023: “Detection of 31 foreigners and arrest of their trafficker, also a foreigner, in Kalymnos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/c1PSEzrWX0k?si=zbAX7CyKRd0io31j
August 21, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 36 individuals in Lesvos (21-08-2023)”. The video is initially recorded by the ship’s cameras and then appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/9j5gpd6QMDw?si=AjJE8IY8fUXQ5zYC
August 21, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 40 individuals in Lesvos (21-08-2023)”. The people are already in the sea. The video is initially recorded by the ship’s cameras and then appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/VxfLY3RSvM0?si=lBEISzYGKUIbgY62
August 22, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 46 individuals in Lesvos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on the deck. [https://youtu.be/2xNxwoMNJTM?si=HbQh9ykxpOfTJHdh]
August 22, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 25 individuals in Rhodes (22/08/23)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on a boat departing from a coast guard vessel. The individuals are being rescued from the sea. https://youtu.be/-NDzOSOD3kY?si=VAza-qPiAvqe7oGQ
August 22, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 16 individuals and arrest of their trafficker in Rhodes (22/08/23)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/CB96DNPK4aY?si=9ZHW7Z2ZS0sk8blo
August 23, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 29 individuals in Samos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/aBri1TssxPM?si=OVvC2nS73UdtQhbf
August 23, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 8 individuals and the arrest of their trafficker in Mytilene”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/1TIYRDXR01k?si=t4qlghPJkbryTI0r
August 23, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 19 individuals in Lesvos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/lVtt8gUZ1Gg?si=YVYsZz9l-l8lucJJ
August 24, 2023: “Rescue of 50 individuals in Samos (23/08/23)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/tCcOtjuGiK4?si=6Y9rZTQeHgYeGg61
August 25, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 24 individuals in Lesvos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/NQHa8nY6Dvo?si=pE0iCtwuwHKsRViR
August 25, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 24 individuals in Lesvos”. Some individuals have already fallen into the sea. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/NQHa8nY6Dvo?si=9ZcyNed0_-IvSSk5
August 25, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 42 individuals in Samos (25/08/23)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/F9Gn3XXJH9g?si=AFS2eYpNlmTV-5×0
August 26, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 35 individuals in Samos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/Y376W_xYw6k?si=mn7_hdcUbp438ykN
August 26, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 11 individuals in Lesvos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/AscNkvxJa5M?si=oAElTSCCP8hWDV0M
August 28, 2023: “Search and rescue operation in Samos (28/08/2023)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/CqICJDzPPYw?si=Km96Xax9QcsBd_jX
August 28, 2023: “Search and rescue operation in Lesvos (28/08/2023)”. Some individuals have already fallen into the sea. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. [https://youtu.be/KYoQc5fOaqU?si=KDWBQzbeT30xZItT]
August 28, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 14 individuals in Lesvos (28.08.2023)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/dXcjsG0KBt8?si=I7pxMpfLinzW8JqE
August 28, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 26 individuals in Lesvos (28.08.2023)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/MMmXJ6YVnf0?si=LTbZIWvJ-sC-OGJD
August 28, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 35 individuals in Lesvos and arrest of two individuals (28.08.2023)”. The video appears is initially recorded by the ship’s cameras and then appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/tjL2veId1q0?si=etfUJjjnXEEYvzye
August 28, 2023: “Moment of sinking of boat with 22 migrants, resulting in the death of 4 children, on 28/8/23, 2.5 nautical miles within Turkish territorial waters”. The video is initially recorded by the ship’s cameras. https://youtu.be/4htxg-4fomY?si=sVAA7XvIyLH6I6WF
August 29, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 36 individuals in Samos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/6sZo7dPxwbA?si=8OQ6WRzCXb4YCYqf
August 29, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 27 individuals in Samos”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/k_EZYmshytI?si=vLkFXcFcyaVXye9O
August 30, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 17 individuals in Samos (30-08-2023)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/7z4KHpd33Hc?si=gcvwcc91o91ZHFJR
August 30, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 12 individuals in Rhodes”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/HzzoYT-pa84?si=pl_Bm9e66xkY7g5m
August 31, 2023: “Detection of 51 individuals in Mykonos and arrest of their 3 traffickers in Patmos”. The video is initially recorded by the ship’s cameras. https://youtu.be/BUxZ-0j_tDg?si=SMqdk5b89o2zQOyI
August 30, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 80 individuals in the maritime area northwest of Kythnos and arrest of 3 traffickers (30.08.2023)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member. https://youtu.be/n25IXdJpplw?si=-z2PUxM-I1YbsBFx
August 31, 2023: “Detection and rescue of 28 individuals in Samos (31.08.2023)”. The video appears to have been taken using a mobile phone by a crew member on deck. https://youtu.be/RqQdQVgV1M8?si=I5dqGHTdFjweCCQn
