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Description
On the night of September 26, 2000, the MS Express Samina was navigating the waters of Greece, making its voyage from Athens to Paros. This vessel had a long history, originally constructed in MS Corse and changing ownership several times before ultimately falling under the control of Minoan Flying Dolphins, a company founded by Pantelis Sfinias.

As the ship approached Paros, it encountered a fierce storm. In a surprising turn of events, the crew members used the onboard television to watch a football game that evening. At precisely 10:12 PM, tragedy struck as the vessel collided with the rocky gates of Paros, resulting in the destruction of the fin stabilizer system.

The MS Express Samina, a passenger ship, experienced a severe storm and a tilt of 5°, causing panic among passengers. The ship contacted Greek Ocean Rescue for assistance, but the angle increased to 23°, making lifeboat deployment nearly impossible. Only three lifeboats were successfully launched. By 10:33 PM, the ship was tilting to a perilous 33° angle, and a watertight door was not properly sealed, indicating an oversight in issuing the order to abandon the ship. At 11:50 PM, the ship capsized completely, and by 11:04 AM, it had ceased functioning. Within one minute, the ship was lost to the depths, claiming 80 lives. It was discovered 30 meters below the sea near Paros Island.

Divers were tasked with investigating the wreck and launching an inquiry with governmental and university research support to determine the cause. The primary factor contributing to this tragedy was attributed to the negligence of both the company and the crew. The company had faced financial difficulties, leading to lapses in safety procedures.

Captain Vassilis Giannakis, one of the survivors, was subjected to police questioning. In 2005, both the captain and several officers were charged with criminal manslaughter and criminal negligence and ultimately found guilty. The first officer received a 19-year prison sentence; Captain Vassilis Giannakis was sentenced to 16 years, while others received lighter jail terms.

It was believed that the first officer had neglected his duty by watching television instead of monitoring the ship. Additionally, several officers faced charges of criminal misdemeanors and violating maritime laws by abandoning the ship without proper authorization.

The cause was a capsize that sank due to the ferry's open, watertight doors, damage, and exposed space in the vehicle's deck.

The company's founder, Pantelis Sfinias, faced mounting challenges, including struggles with alcohol abuse. Tragically, on November 29, he took his own life by jumping from the sixth floor of a building. Sfinias was also charged with criminal negligence homicide and faced legal claims from the victims' relatives.

Furthermore, Dimitris Malamas, the vessel's master, succumbed to a heart attack due to the immense mental stress caused by the incident.

In response to these events, Greece passed new legislation as a result of the disaster that stipulates strict safety requirements for ships over 30 years old and requires ferries to be decommissioned after 30 years instead of 35 years, leading to the company's transformation into Hellas Flying Dolphins. However, operations ceased in 2001, only to resume in 2005 under the name Hellenic Seaways.

Description
On the night of September 26, 2000, the MS Express Samina was navigating the waters of Greece, making its voyage from Athens to Paros. This vessel had a long history, originally constructed in MS Corse and changing ownership several times before ultimately falling under the control of Minoan Flying Dolphins, a company founded by Pantelis Sfinias.

As the ship approached Paros, it encountered a fierce storm. In a surprising turn of events, the crew members used the onboard television to watch a football game that evening. At precisely 10:12 PM, tragedy struck as the vessel collided with the rocky gates of Paros, resulting in the destruction of the fin stabilizer system.

The MS Express Samina, a passenger ship, experienced a severe storm and a tilt of 5°, causing panic among passengers. The ship contacted Greek Ocean Rescue for assistance, but the angle increased to 23°, making lifeboat deployment nearly impossible. Only three lifeboats were successfully launched. By 10:33 PM, the ship was tilting to a perilous 33° angle, and a watertight door was not properly sealed, indicating an oversight in issuing the order to abandon the ship. At 11:50 PM, the ship capsized completely, and by 11:04 AM, it had ceased functioning. Within one minute, the ship was lost to the depths, claiming 80 lives. It was discovered 30 meters below the sea near Paros Island.

Divers were tasked with investigating the wreck and launching an inquiry with governmental and university research support to determine the cause. The primary factor contributing to this tragedy was attributed to the negligence of both the company and the crew. The company had faced financial difficulties, leading to lapses in safety procedures.

Captain Vassilis Giannakis, one of the survivors, was subjected to police questioning. In 2005, both the captain and several officers were charged with criminal manslaughter and criminal negligence and ultimately found guilty. The first officer received a 19-year prison sentence; Captain Vassilis Giannakis was sentenced to 16 years, while others received lighter jail terms.

It was believed that the first officer had neglected his duty by watching television instead of monitoring the ship. Additionally, several officers faced charges of criminal misdemeanors and violating maritime laws by abandoning the ship without proper authorization.

The cause was a capsize that sank due to the ferry's open, watertight doors, damage, and exposed space in the vehicle's deck.

The company's founder, Pantelis Sfinias, faced mounting challenges, including struggles with alcohol abuse. Tragically, on November 29, he took his own life by jumping from the sixth floor of a building. Sfinias was also charged with criminal negligence homicide and faced legal claims from the victims' relatives.

Furthermore, Dimitris Malamas, the vessel's master, succumbed to a heart attack due to the immense mental stress caused by the incident.

In response to these events, Greece passed new legislation as a result of the disaster that stipulates strict safety requirements for ships over 30 years old and requires ferries to be decommissioned after 30 years instead of 35 years, leading to the company's transformation into Hellas Flying Dolphins. However, operations ceased in 2001, only to resume in 2005 under the name Hellenic Seaways.