SW-INC-0489SeaWise Incidents

off Serifos - A sailboat loses control off Serifos after its sail tears; five aboard towed safely into Livadi

A sailboat carrying five foreign nationals lost steerage off Cape Agoufi, northeast of Serifos, after its sail tore. Greece's Coast Guard and a fishing vessel from Syros escorted the boat safely into Livadi harbour; no one was hurt.

verified · 1 sourceN
Vessel
off SerifosSailboat
When
2026Aegean Sea
Crew
5 aboardAll survived
Outcome
Returned safely
Position
Off Cape Agoufi, northeast of Serifos, Greece (towed to Livadi harbour)
Sea area
Aegean Sea, off Serifos, Cyclades
Coordinates
37.14°N, 24.51°EApproximate position
Summary

What happened.

On 5-6 August 2026, a sailboat carrying five foreign nationals lost steerage off Serifos, Greece, after its sail tore. Greece's Coast Guard and a Syros fishing vessel escorted it safely into Livadi harbour; no one was hurt.

On 5-6 August 2026, a sailboat carrying five foreign nationals -- one Polish and four German citizens -- lost steerage off Cape Agoufi, northeast of Serifos in the Cyclades, after its sail tore. Unable to make way safely under a damaged sail, the crew alerted Serifos port authorities, who sent out a Coast Guard patrol boat; the fishing vessel Evangelistria, out of Syros, also came alongside to help. Between them they escorted the disabled sailboat into Livadi, the island's main harbour, and anchored it safely. Everyone aboard was uninjured and in good health throughout, and no fuel or pollution was released. Port authorities have since barred the boat from leaving until an authorised surveyor inspects it, repairs are made, and it's re-certified seaworthy. A torn sail can leave a boat drifting and hard to control in open water -- this crew did the right thing calling for help early, before a manageable sail failure turned into something worse near a rocky coastline.

ConditionsOn 5-6 August 2026, a sailboat carrying five foreign nationals -- one Polish and four German citizens -- lost steerage off Cape Agoufi, northeast of Serifos in the Cyclades, after its sail tore. The crew notified Serifos port authorities, who dispatched a Coast Guard patrol boat; the fishing vessel Evangelistria, registered in Syros, also assisted. The sailboat was escorted and anchored safely in Livadi harbour. Everyone aboard was uninjured and in good health, and no pollution resulted. Port authorities barred the boat from departing until it is repaired and re-certified seaworthy by an authorised surveyor. Facts from Mileika Nea, Cyclades24, and Kykladiki (Aug 2026).
SeaWise noteA torn sail can leave you without steerage fast, especially reaching or running in a breeze. Carry a spare or storm sail and know how to heave-to or motor-sail home on a damaged rig -- and call the Coast Guard or port authority early, before a drifting boat closes on rocks or shipping lanes.
Lessons learned

What it teaches.

  • 1
    A torn or blown-out sail can take away your ability to steer in seconds -- know how to heave-to, reduce to a smaller sail, or motor-sail the rest of the way home if your main or headsail fails underway.
    rig failure loss of steering
  • 2
    Call the Coast Guard or port authority as soon as you lose control, even without immediate danger -- this crew's early call brought a patrol boat and a fishing vessel before the drifting boat reached rocks or hazards.
    communications rescue
Sources

Where this comes from.

News· EU/Med sailing newsΣέριφος: Ιστιοφόρο έσπασε το ιστίο του – Ασφαλής διάσωση 5 επιβαινόντωνVisit ↗

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Record IDSW-INC-0489
Curated bySeaWise editorial
Confidenceverified · 1 source
Record typeIncident

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