Pireus to Symi:
A solution in sight?

It seems that last month's protest by the Municipality of Symi over the exclusion of the island from a direct ferry connection with Pireus is starting to have an effect.

SymiGreece has learned today that the Minister for the Aegean and Island Policy, Mr Aristotelis Pavlidis, phoned the Mayor of Symi, Mr Lefteris Papakalodoukas, and promised him that he would find an immediate solution to the problem. Although it is not yet clear what this "solution" would include, there is some indication that Blue Star Ferries may be reconsidering their decision to exlude Symi from the (subsidised) Pireus to Rhodes route. It was reported in the local Rhodes press today that Blue Star Ferry "Diagoras" will make another "trial" sailing this Friday to re-assess whether it would be possible to include Symi in its itinerary after all. "Diagoras" first came to Symi on a "trial" sailing last December after which it was decided that the boat was too big for Symi's harbour. Onboard "Diagoras" on Friday will be the Greek Director of Blue Star Ferries as well as the company's most senior captain.

Mr Papakalodoukas said that the Minister's intervention is a positive one but by itself it would not halt the people os Symi's determination to go ahead with their planned protests in case a solution is not found. This could incude the closure of the Municipality as well as the boycott of the Greek General Election which is expected within the year. "We will wait until Friday to hear about the solution the Minister promised us", said Mr Papakalodoukas in a statement to the Rhodes "Proodos" newspaper. If a solution is not found, the Municipality will press ahead with filing a court action demanding the cancelation of the contract that Blue Star Ferries signed with the Ministry of Mercantile Marine. This contract indicates that Blue Star Ferries woud receive the full government subsidy (for the Pireus to Rhodes route) as if the boat were stopping at Symi.

One of the possible solutions being discussed is the creation of a floating jetty in front of the Clock Tower (Roloi) so that a boat the size of "Diagoras" could dock without having to enter the main harbour (thus bypassing the official reason why "Diagoras" is not currently stopping at Symi). The initial response to this idea by the Municipality was favourable and they have already started exploring the practical and technical implications of a floating jetty being built. However, it is not clear how quickly it could be completed and whether it could be the immediate solution that Symi needs.