-- May 26, 2000
Four-forty
five AM Charlie was awakened by a loud boom. Suspicions confirmed;
I can sleep through almost anything. He took a flashlight
and went on deck to look around. Everything seemed to be OK
but he kept going back to shine the light and check around our boat.
He noticed the large charter company dive boat tied to the wall
just across the harbor entrance from us looked a little too low
in the water. He came below and hurriedly put some clothes
on because it was quite chilly, and went back on deck. By
that time I was stirring and asked what was happening. This
time he took the really big spotlight up and shined it on the dive
boat and said to me. "Saundra, I think that boat is sinking."
About that time loud music issued forth from the dive boat. It was very loud, sounding as if
there was a party going on and they were playing the Greek National Anthem. By that time we were both in the aft cockpit when the security guard came up and saw the same thing we were
seeing. Charlie's first thought was that there might be someone aboard the boat, maybe injured, if indeed there had been an explosion. If only a party, maybe there was someone
passed out. At any rate the dockmaster ran off to circle the marina and get to the boat.
The dive boat was very close to us, but separated by water, and to reach it by land you must
circle the whole marina. At that time we had a little rental car parked in the parking lot close by so Charlie took off to pick up the dockmaster and they drove over to the scene. By that time I
was wide awake and observing from the aft cockpit of Sea Gem.
When Charlie and the dockmaster arrived they determined there was no one aboard and that
indeed, the boat was going down and very fast. The only thing holding it above the water were the lines tied to the concrete quay. The lines held and the boat hung suspended, sagging like a limp chicken.
Charlie figured that possibly some propane had been ignited and set off by a spark. We did not think to much more about it until the police summoned Charlie the next morning to come to
the station and give a statement since he was the only witness. When he went to the police station he found that there was indeed an explosion and it was dynamite, placed in the engine
room. It had blown a three meter hole in the hull. Charlie was questioned extensively and began to worry a little that who ever the perpetrators were might think he saw someone when
he actually saw no one. We were just close by and he was the first to figure out something was wrong.
The police feel quite sure the instigator is someone holding a business grudge. As the
interpreter told Charlie, "In Greece only two things cause trouble. Competition in business, and looking at another man's woman." Simple rules, just want to make sure you don't step on any toes!
The marina was buzzing with activity after this, with increased security, lots of spectators and lots of activity in trying to salvage the dive boat. Just another peaceful day on an adventure
around the world.
Until later from Sea Gem in Crete. . .
