(photo header Kostas Andreou)
The Express Pegasus is reported back in service and is expected to leave Volos at 9am today. We will be keeping an eye on MarineTraffic.com for any further Spirograph antics.
And she finally set sail at 12:30!
Passengers have been warned that she may be prevented from entering Skopelos harbour by a forecast of bad weather, but we will monitor her progress.
Golly, this is exciting…
1640 update: after a mystery almost-hour moored in Skiathos, she is steaming into Skopelos harbour right now. Cue crowds, band, tickertape…
1649 update update: Whoops! We spoke too soon: she reached the mouth of the bay then swung around 360 degrees and steamed back out, perhaps defeated by the southerlies, and is currently steaming towards Alonissos…
1700: Nail-biting stuff, this: no one in the harbour has a clue where she’s headed, but the heading as she sailed off suggest she may try to get into Agnontas, although there are still people down on the quay looking baffled…
1718: Lawks-a-mercy, she’s now steaming in to Patitiri harbour on Alonissos. Current idle speculation is she might stay there for the night (which should make conditions onboard convivial, as there are no hotels open there at this time of year…), try to get into Agnontas, where two men and a dog just reported huge swell, or head back to Skiathos for the night. Let’s hope the bar’s well stocked…
1730: And don’t tell anyone aboard the Pegasus, but the afternoon Flying Cat (Number 5) has just slid calmly into dock at Skopelos harbour.
1744: We now hear that foot passengers have been turfed off the Pegasus in Patitiri to await the Flying Cat, which they’re assured will bring them back to Skopelos. The Pegasus is heading back to try to re-enter Skopelos, but may have to run for either Skiathos or Volos (bad news for vehicle owners aboard, not to mention shops awaiting supplies for the long end-of-carnival weekend). We should know the result in about twenty minutes.
Almost as dramatic as waiting for a new pope to be announced…
1817: Well, she tried to get in, but failed and spun around again. She is currently heading west along the north coast, probably to the relatively sheltered mooring at Skiathos, although if not, Volos. The Flying Cat bringing the marooned foot passengers from Alonissos is equidistant between the islands, and as a pink mackerel sky spreads over the Aegean this lighthousekeeper has some homemade fishcakes with coriander to cook.
Express Pegasus attempts Skopelos two times
F/C 5 arrives with refugees from Alonissos as Thessaloniki erupts in a mushroom cloud.
18:45 Flying Cat 5 heads back to Alonissos.
18.10 hours Express Pegasus outside the harbor of Skopelos with calm weather. Photo Kostas Andreou.
It is still in Volos at 10:00.
I just got off the phone to pals aboard her and they say the latest is that she should be leaving at 11am. More non-news as it breaks…
Hi all, for the same reason as I tracked bus numbers as a boy, I track the HF fleet (some of it) today. I noticed that as of yesterday, the Flyingk Cat6 is now serving the Saronic islands. Is it not coming back to the Sporades? Will something else replace her? Will there no longer be a stop at AGK?
Hi David, Tom may have more on this but FK6 is featured in our report about timetable changes, with a new HS schedule saying the Ay. Konstantinos FK service will now start from June 8:
http://skopelosnews.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/express-pegasus-returns-sunday/
I’m not sure if it’s the Fk5 or 6 running the daily Sporades-Volos service at present, but one of them is!
F/C5 has been doing the Volos/Sporades route all winter. Last the summer both F/C5 and F/C6 ran. One would start in Volos, and finish in Alonissos then head to Agios K with passengers and spend the night there. The other would start in Agios K , finish at Alonissos spend the night and head to Volos in the morning. Or some combination thereof.
The published schedules are weird this year. Most likely there will be more boats (routes) put on a bit later. But don’t forget that there is an economic crisis which is affecting everything (mostly negatively).
She’s gone again!
Well what an exciting way to spend a rainy afternoon in Bolton. Hope the passengers get to their destinations. Fishcakes with coriander sound delish!
They are, Olwyn (I’m defrosting one of a batch made last week…). And thanks to Tom for that coda with the photos. I tried snapping the Pegasus as she sailed off after the second failed attempt to enter the bay, but the shot was blurred by high-winds camera shake.
I am wondering how Express HSW has such difficulties getting into the harbour in higher winds/inclement weather. Last summer whilst sitting at Barramares on a very windy afternoon with a large swell in the harbour the HSW boats were being diverted to Agnontas yet the Skyros ferry came into Skopelos harbour with no problems at all offloaded its passengers and later left with no problems – and that is a bigger boat I think. I think there is more at play – or maybe the crew of the Skyros boat are just better drivers? What with HSW and the problem with charter flights this year (just looked for August – nothing under £400+ if you include luggage costs) it is making it looking increasingly likely we wont be able to afford a trip in August/September this year
I think I was trying to get on to the Pegasus that day, Wendy, and ended up hitching a lift to Agnontas and then back to Skopelos when she was diverted to the first and then returned unable to enter Agnontas. I think we finally left Skopelos around five hours after we should have. But I noticed today that the Pegasus is very high out of the water when lightly loaded, and beam-on to those winds I imagine the captain decided not to risk a mooring manoeuvre with faulty steering.
As to airline prices, well, stay tuned…
Well, I would say that the theatre of the absurd is on course to finally surpass itself today. I won’t get into a blow by blow account, but it seems at the moment that a simple four hour ferry route from Volos to Skopelos is on course to take up to two and a half days for those unfortunate enough to be travelling with
their cars and with sick – or even healthy – animals in tow.
The last information is that passengers will have to stay overnight on Skiathos, and there will be no ferry tomorrow, making Sunday the final arrival date.
My question is – who will pay for this additional expense – not to mention the inconvenience to all those unfortunates involved? I suppose they must be happy to finally make landfall – albeit on the wrong island – and not be sailing forever on the high seas like the Flying Dutchman; the crew (and passengers) trying to send messages to land, or to people long dead.
In ocean lore, the sight of this phantom ship is a portent of doom. Is this where corruption, incompetence and austerity measures lead the people of Skopelos – to limbo?
The earlier version of this comment, which had typographic errors, was deleted by the editor – thanks Maria M for the second try!
There seems to be a complete lack of understanding about ship handling from some of the posters.
.
First and foremost is the safety of the passengers, crew and ship. This responsibility is absolutely that of the captain of the ship. He will take into consideration all the information that is made available to him.
If he considers it is unsafe to enter Skopelos harbour then I am happy with that decision. He tried twice today to enter Skopelos harbour. If he decided it was unsafe then I will go along with that – sorry about the doggies
Those that boarded today in Volos were told that it was possible that the ship would not be able to dock in Skopelos.Sh@t happens – don’t like it I’m sure you will get compensation from the UK coalition
That’s right. It may be inconvenient but all are safe and sound. The reasons, whatever they are, why the captain didn’t want to try reach Skopelos will be known soon. It is too bad, though, that this problematic ship is the stand-in for the mostly reliable Express Skiathos.
I am beginning to get seriously pissed off by those that that make comments about things that they know nothing about. The ferry from Skyros is nothing like Pegasus – look up the sizes.
Then they start complaining about flight costs from the UK in August — dooh – like it is the fault of Greece – that’s when it’s school holidays and has always been the most expensive part of the season. Maybe they should go to Bognor.
I agree with you Tom, Pegasus is a bit big for this route – by the way the ANES ferry will not be in the Sporades this summer – believe me.
Respect for the bravery of the Captain of Pegasus in taking safe
but unpopular decisions.
mike expelled from Homer Simpson club for mispelling Doh!
(dooh is a toiletry thing)
the `Pegasus is really too big for this route- thats the problem i think. I have been watching it for the last few weeks and its a very tight squeeze when it does its handbrake turn in the port-and it won’t fit into Loutraki at all.And as for the air fares they are about 30% above what people are used too and are far in excess of other islands. Which is why people are disappointed.
Sunday 0900 – just had a telephone call from our van driver of choice, Mick Bushby, who is en route to both deliver and return (I think Mags and Ken). He was (un)fortunate enough to be on the Pegasus yesterday during the high drama, and is currently marooned in Skiathos. Anyone who would like a first hand account of yesterday’s events can be regaled by Mr Bushby when he hopefully arrives tomorrow. Fee – 1 Amstel
Mike – i am not and never have blamed Greece for the cost of flights. In fact if you read some of my earlier posts I lay it firmly at the door of potential cartel activity in the UK. My point is that this time last year charters for end Aug/beginnin g of September were £250 – £300 and this year they are £450 – £5000 which is out of all proportion and way more than route to other islands. I know August is pricey but a 100% increase in fares this year will seriously dent the Sporades tourism. I dont think I am the first person to point out either that it is not always safety at sea that causes HSW to divert – I have been diverted on many an occassion after a few days of choppy seas HSW still seem to carry on diverting even when calmer days thereafter. In fact, my contact on Skopelos in the business commnity have lobbied the powers that be as they too suspect monetary rather than safety reasons as quite often influencing. I have been travelling to Skopelos since 1994 and this is the first year that flights from the UK have jumped so high or simply not even been available to purchase. IF you look on any of the charter websites you’ll see that even in low season flights are a minimum of 50% higher than last year. Other Greek/charter destinations have not jumped nearly so much. Again, I feel for the Sporades tourist industry and my apartment will certainly be generating less income for Skopelos this year as my fellow Brits just cant afford the flights this year.
oops – typo there – £450 – £500 – £5,000 – now that would be expensive!
Lets be perfectly honest here – if no Brits at all come to Skopelos this year the local economy will hardly feel a thing. It’s all down to economy of scale. At any time there are always more Skandies, eastern Europeans and Germans around than Brits – and they are known by the locals to spend more money.
Brits don’t come to the island in August – “too many Greeks” – is the normal excuse. Even the six monthers normally disappear at this time.
We know there are more flights this year from other northern and eastern European countries to Skiathos and Volos. I suggest you have a hard look at the British situation and ask YOUR carriers why they are charging so much. This is nothing to do with Greece
It’s a well know fact that flights do not go from Athens to Skiathos if there are not sufficient passengers, but I really do not believe that bit from your “contact on Skopelos in the business commnity” that Hellenic Seaways cancels because because of financial reasons – particularly in the season. I agree it might happen in the winter, occasionally, when you are not here.
The assertion that ” if no Brits at all come to Skopelos this year the local economy will hardly feel a thing” is ,to be blunt, ludicrous Mike.
The most important sector by far in income generated by tourism here in Skopelos,in all the years I have lived and worked here was Greek tourism. This was where the money coming in from tourism got shared around the most with family run rooms/apartments to let combined with the amount of money Greeks were able to spend on eating and going out.
Those days are now gone, who knows when there will be normal amounts of greek tourists again. The ticket prices inflicted on Sporades by HSW is partly responsible for this as its much cheaper for them to go either to Halkidiki if they live in the North or to the Pelopponese or other islands if they live in Athens.
With the marked decrease in Greek tourists last year (and what I would predict to be even worse this year) the assertion that noone will care if there are no Brits is nonsensical: As things stand at the moment Skopelos needs all the tourists it can get -wherever they are from . I don’t think there would be a single local (or non local) entrepreneur who would turn their noses up at British tourists . However diminished the numbers of British tourists may be they are of huge importance to the local economy which is just hanging on by its teeth at the moment-especially in the low season months favoured by the Brits.
Totally agree Wendy. Flight prices to Skiathos are much higher than they have ever been. Mike, it has just cost Clive and I £800 to come over in May – not the school holidays, and it cost us £400 last year. And yet I can get to other places for the same price as last year. Our houses will also be empty for much of the season much to our friends disappointment but they tell us they can get all inclusive for not much more than the flight price. And not in Bognor!
Some years ago the owner of Laskarina – anybody remember the company – told me that it was cheaper and quicker to fly from London to Miami and then on to your four bed house with pool than it was to come to Skopelos.
I’m sorry about the flight increases, but I repeat my point, don’t come here to bitch and moan about it – find out why it is happening from the UK end and then tell us !
Sunday 0917 update: she’s just left Volos at a tidy 16.2 knots and is heading this way…
She won’t be stopping at Agnondas any time soon….
http://efimerida-sporades.blogspot.gr/2013/03/blog-post_5496.html
I was on board the Pegasus on Friday.
First of all, no one told us or any of the Greek passengers that the ship might not dock in Skopelos.
2) We left Volos 3.5 hours late with no explanation.
3) When the ship failed to dock in Skopelos it went on to Alonissos. On arrival the car passengers were told they could get off and get the Cat to Skopelos and pick up their cars in 2 days time.
3) Some car owners left the ship but did not leave the car keys. This trapped other car owners heading back to Skiathos or Volos. The crew never thought about this problem!
4) On arrival back in Skiathos we had great difficulty getting off the ferry, finally just made it without crew help.
5) Spent 2 nights on Skiathos at own expense.
6) Finally got to Skopelos 48 hours late, on Sunday. No explanation from HSW.
No apology from HSW.
When the 4 hour trip took 9 hours, no apololgy. Not even an offer of a cup of coffee.
7) My problem is not the fact the captain failed to dock in a calm sea, much calmer than Sunday, or that he failed to tell the passengers what was happening.
My problem is the lack of information given and the arrogance of the crew that the passengers simply did not matter.
We need an alternative company to provide some competition to improve the service which frankly is a disgrace.
I find your comments that we are bitching and moaning quite offensive Mike. We are all merely stating the situation as it is. I think we can quite legitimately express dissatisfaction that a flight for the first week in September (I checked online yesterday) (ie not school holidays) with Thomson flights is quoting at in excess of £600 whereas last year it was £280/£300. As to your comments re the business community. I saw the actual letter/document that was drafted and signed by many representatives of the business community and was subsequently handed into the town hall. This was in 2010 so it obviously didn’t have any impact unfortunately.I may not live in Skopelos all year round but after visiting two or three times a year for almost 20 years (visiting in and out of season) I do have friends on the island who are locals and live there permanently so I do have a bit of a grasp of what is going on in and out of season. As Amy has said other charter route haven’t increased in price. Be assured I am trying to find out who to write to re the prices and as previously I have never suggested prices have anything to do with Greeks charging them. I think it will be Trading standards or the Monopolies Commission in the UK who would deal with this. I do intend to write to the relevant body when I manage to track down who to write too It is very difficult to see my Greek friends struggling when lots of their regular visitors form the UK don’t come or don’t come as often and I would politely beg to differ that Skopelos wouldn’t notice if we didn’t come anymore.
Wendy – I am sorry if you take offense easily – a two minute Google search found this https://vibe.justtheflight.co.uk/your-flight/012dab6a-8f3e-11e2-8e6c-b8ac6f12e696 pounds356.
The business community is always complaining – rents, municipal rates, taxes, etc, etc.
Believe me, your Greek friends on the Paralia are not struggling – they just complain because they now have to pay some realistic taxes for all the properties they own and are now forced to give receipts. Did you know there is a new law that says if you are not given a receipt for anything you can walk away without paying ?
Do you really believe that writing a letter to some quango in the UK will have the slightest effect on flight prices from the UK to Greece ?
I think the passengers of BA & Virgin might see the OFT as more than a quango!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/apr/26/ba-virgin-cartel-price-fixing
And also that link doesn’t work. I think you’ll also find that that price is the “quoted” price and when you add on things you cant avoid eg card charges, bags etc (the price suddenly jumps to over £400).
Bit less than the 600 you mentioned
The £600 referred to a price I checked for the date i hoped to visit in September £400 refers to the minimum price I found for a return including bags, card fees etc wile searching for a random dates in June/aug/sept