The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.

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This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

A Greek Ship rescues 120 refugees ...[ 3655 ]

A Greek Ship rescues refugees off Italy, two dead

18 February 2014, 16:02 // - AFP
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* Το ελληνικό πλοίο που κατάφερε να τους διασώσει λέγεται Rizopon και μετέφερε τους μετανάστες στο λιμάνι της πόλης Αουγκούστα της Σικελίας.
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Rome - A Greek cargo ship rescued over 120 refugees believed to be Somalis and recovered two bodies from a boat off Italy's Lampedusa island, the site of two deadly shipwrecks last year, the coast guard said on Tuesday.
The refugees were picked up by the Rizopon, which is taking them to the Sicilian port of Augusta, where they are expected to arrive later on Tuesday.
"A boat with 123 refugees, including 16 women, was rescued late on Monday. Two bodies were found on board," the press office at the coast guard headquarters in Rome told AFP, saying those aboard claimed to be Somalis.
The immigrants had sent out an SOS signal with a satellite telephone on Monday after the boat's engine broke down and several ships in the area raced to the aid of the stricken vessel.
Italy has seen an increase in the number of immigrants attempting the crossing from North Africa.
Its navy saved over 1 000 people taking the perilous journey by boat across the Mediterranean last weekend, including 64 minors and a newborn baby.
Immigration charities estimate that between 17 000 and 20 000 migrants have died at sea trying to reach Europe over the past 20 years, often crossing on rickety fishing boats or rubber dinghies.
The island of Lampedusa hit world headlines in October when some 300 people drowned off its shores seeking to get to Europe.

- AFP

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