“Panagiotis” – the shipwreck that lies on the white sands of an exposed cove of Zakynthos (also Zante) – has laid on the northwestern side of the island for 45 years. It has become so iconic that it is an emblem of the island and is visited by thousands of tourists yearly.
However, Navagio (“shipwreck” in Greek) is now under a significant threat. Scientists at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) have issued an urgent plea for the ship’s rescue from the beach. The Greek scientists have warned that the ship is at risk of disappearing into the sea completely in the event of severe weather.
Since last summer, the NTUA has presented a comprehensive study on preserving the shipwreck and the surrounding beach to the relevant authorities.
However, bureaucratic delays have hindered the start of rescue efforts, putting the wreck at risk of disappearing completely.
“While this winter has been relatively mild, the threat remains imminent,” explained Professor Kaliambakos, according to The Greek Reporter. “The project requires time, and starting it promptly is crucial to preventing irreversible damage.”
Severe weather in early 2023 caused significant parts of the Panagiotis to vanish into the sea.
The NTUA study ended last June and detailed the urgent need for corrosion protection and structural stabilisation of detached pieces that have deteriorated for the last 40 years.
The project is expected to cost some €7 million (£6 million), but progress has stalled due to bureaucratic hurdles within HRADF and the Ionian Islands Region. Environmental assessments for both the ship and beach are essential before any rescue work can begin.
“The NTUA team urges immediate action on the ship, followed by beach restoration,” Professor Kaliambakos continued. “Completing the environmental study for the beach is critical to initiating comprehensive preservation efforts.”
Among their project requests are anti-corrosion measures, an expansion of the ship’s protection zone by 30 metres, safe viewing areas, and a cave museum to showcase the ship’s history.
For the past few years, tourists have been banned from landing on the beach and are only allowed to view it from the water. Approaching the beach from the rocky slope and the plateau above the beach has also been banned.
The beach is one of the most photographed shipwrecks in the world, however how it ended up on the shore is up for debate. It has been rumoured the ship was smuggling contraband like cigarettes and alcohol when it ran aground during stormy weather.