The Gaza-bound flotilla of around 40 vessels resumed its journey after two days of stopping near a small island south of the Greek island of Crete.
It had stalled because the flotilla was waiting for two days for naval ships to arrive. Italy and Spain had said that they would send naval ships to monitor the flotilla or provide aid in the event of further attacks on the vessels.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has been sailing for a month since departing from Barcelona, Spain, on September 1. It spent a week in Tunisia, several days off Sicily, and two days anchored south of Crete.
One Italian naval ship appeared to arrive near the flotilla in the afternoon of September 25. It was unclear whether more had appeared on September 26. The vessel had been dispatched after the flotilla claimed it was attacked on the evening between September 23 and September 24 while it was sailing around 40 miles south of Crete.
After the attack, the flotilla moved closer to the coast of Crete, apparently hoping for protection in Greek waters. Several sailboats that had come from Greece also joined the flotilla of ships. This means that the flotilla now consists of roughly 20 vessels from Spain, 20 from Italy, and up to six from Greece. That said, the flotilla so far had no choice but to leave several ships behind.
The large pleasure craft called Family was left at anchor off the Cretan island of Koufonisia. It is 23 meters long and has a large crew aboard. It was one of the largest ships in the flotilla, because most of the other boats were sailboats.
Family apparently ran into some engine trouble. This same vessel had allegedly been struck by a drone while at anchor off the Tunisian town of Sidi Bou Said in mid-September. It is unclear if the ship is damaged.
The crew has reportedly been transferred to other vessels, according to social media reports. The flotilla was around nine nautical miles off Koufonisia, sailing a southeasterly course on Saturday evening.
This means they are leaving Greece’s national waters. A larger ship called Life Support has also come to assist the flotilla. The NGO EMERGENCY runs it and can provide aid. This is a 52-meter ship built in 2002.
The flotilla, as aforementioned, currently consists of around 40 vessels, including a large old sailboat, Sirius, and a converted fishing vessel, the Estrella Y Manuel.
It also features the 33-meter pleasure craft Alma Explorers. Several new vessels that appear to be sailing with the group now include the San Marino-flagged Seulle, the Australia-flagged Fox Hat, and the Greek-flagged Captain Nikos. A Dutch sailboat called Donna is also sailing with the group, along with more well-known sailboats that began the journey in Spain, such as the Mikeno VI and Inana. The Spanish vessel Jeannot III, a sailing vessel, appears to have stayed behind with Family for now.
Spain and Italy reportedly send naval vessels to accompany flotilla
According to reports, Spain has sent the naval patrol vessel Furor (P-46) to support the flotilla. It is unclear in what capacity it will help the group, or whether it will merely provide surveillance and deter attacks in international waters.
Italy’s navy has sent the Fasan (F-591) and Alpino (F-594) frigates to the flotilla. It is also not clear what the task of these ships will be.