A beautiful island off the southwest coast of Greece, Zakynthos has beautiful beaches, coves and green valleys. But the island is the most famous outside of Greece on Navagio Beach, a small, pristine beach with the sparkling waters of homes on the famous cruise ship. In this article, find out the story behind this stray boat and how it ended up on one of Greece’s most famous beaches.
There is no doubt that Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) is one of the most famous and photographed beaches in Greece. Located on the northwest coast of the Ionian island of Zakynthos (also known as Zante), Navagio Beach, known as Agios Giorgos, became an unmarked cemetery when MV Panayiotis washed its shores in October 1980.
Many ideas and speculations arose and while the date remains unclear (some sources say the event took place in 1981, 1982 or 1983), most of them said the MV Panayiotis was a smuggling ship, hence the name Smugglers Cove. Some say that the ship was smuggling cigarettes, wine, and even people, when the authorities seized it and put it in a corner until it stopped at the station, where it was surrounded. Others, in support of the idea that the ship smuggled illegal cigarettes, alcohol and women, lost control of the engine and simply washed off the beach. Another theory holds that the owner of MV Panayiotis, Haris Kompotheklas, smuggled cigarettes from ports in Yugoslavia and Albania to ship them to Italy. On one such trip, he was forced to board two Italian traffickers. Rumor has it that the captain was able to arrest and imprison two Italians for use in smuggling, but due to unforeseen adverse weather conditions, he was forced to dock at the port. While he and his staff were trying to rescue property, part of it was swept away by the waves, bringing benefits to the residents and hiding the goods. When the authorities learned of the incident, they arrested the captain and his team, repatriated the Italians, and deported the group, and the goods were sold at auction.
Recently, the ship’s captain, Captain Charalambos Kompothekras – Kotsoros, who was born in Cephonia, released a true account of the night’s events.
According to his website, ‘MV Panayiotis (No. 4512 of Piraeus) moved from the port of Argostile, Cephalonia to the port of Durrës, Albania on September 6, 1980. When the goods were ready and began to return, on the afternoon of October 2 , 1980, the ship sank off at St George’s Sea near Volimes due to inclement weather and mechanical failure. I reported the accident to the authorities, but because the beach was not accessible on foot, we were unable to protect the ship from thieves and other accidents. As a result, part of this shipment was stolen along with various shipping equipment (radar, VHF radio, etc.). I went back to the authorities to report that my property had been stolen and the local Attorney General was there to arrange a formal investigation with the local police. The result has been positive as in the first days of operation, all the stolen items, as well as part of the theft of these shipments, were found in nearby local villages, with 29 people fully prosecuted and imprisoned in the months following the trial. ‘
After being cleared of all court charges, he was later forced by the authorities to remove the ship in his own way. When he visited the site to see how he could carry out the campaign, he was so impressed by the beauty of the rusty corpse that he decided to leave it at that.
Now a property owner of a house called Monte & Mare in Cephonia, she lives a comfortable life in her beautiful country.
Whatever the rumor or story you believe, there is no doubt that whatever happened on the night of October 2, 1980 left an amazing half-man-made stone, a natural half that has put Zakynthos on the world tourist map.stolen items, as well as part of the theft of these shipments, were found in nearby local villages, with 29 people fully prosecuted and imprisoned in the months following the trial. ‘
After being cleared of all court charges, he was later forced by the authorities to remove the ship in his own way. When he visited the site to see how he could carry out the campaign, he was so impressed by the beauty of the rusty corpse that he decided to leave it at that.
Now a property owner of a house called Monte & Mare in Cephonia, she lives a comfortable life in her beautiful country.
Whatever the rumor or story you believe, there is no doubt that whatever happened on the night of October 2, 1980 left an amazing half-man-made stone, a natural half that has put Zakynthos on the world tourist map.
