The captain of Bulgarian vessel Geo Milev was not detained in the Greek port of Thessaloniki,  Navigation Maritime Bulgare (Navibulgar) said.

On October 21 2007, the cargo vessel under Panamanian flag Helena hit the Bulgarian container carrier Geo Milev some three miles from the Thessaloniki port.

Navibulgar refuted Greek news agency ANA/MPA’s information that the Bulgarian captain was detained. According to Navibulgar, the captains of the two vessels had to remain in Thessaloniki until the case was clarified.

Focus news agency quoted Navibulgar as saying that Helena was to be blamed for the accident. The vessels were to pass each other with their left boards, while Helena hit Geo Milev with her right board.

The Bulgarian vessel could be accused of not doing everything possible to avoid the accident.

The cost of the Geo Milev damages was still unknown, Focus said.