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.........

Monday, January 20, 2014

Earthquake of 6.3 has rattled New Zealand...[ 3386 ]

New Zealand earthquake shakes North Island

BBC.,, 20 January 2014 Last updated at 06:58 GMT

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 has rattled New Zealand's North Island, but there are no reports so far of major damage or serious injury.

The quake struck 38km (24 miles) north-east of Masterton at 15:52 local time (02:52 GMT), US Geological Survey said.
Residents described major shaking, goods tumbling off shelves and pictures knocked askew.

A cafe worker, left, stands behind one of two giant eagle sculptures promoting "The Hobbit" movie trilogy lying on the ground after it fell in the wake of a 6.3 magnitude earthquake at Wellington Airport in Wellington, New Zealand, 20 January 2014

An eagle sculpture at Wellington Airport was knocked down in the quake

A sculpture of a giant eagle suspended from the roof at Wellington airport fell to the ground, local media said.
No-one was injured when the sculpture - used to promote the Hobbit movie - came down.
Many businesses were closed because of a public holiday.

Staff members clear stock knocked off the shelves by the earthquake from their shop floor in the Wairarapa town of Eketahuna on 20 January 2014

Shop items were knocked off shelves during the earthquake

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Shaking was felt in much of central New Zealand, including in the capital, Wellington.
Wellington rail operator Tranz Metro said that all train services were suspended as a result of the earthquake, and would be replaced by buses.
Local media said there were reports of broken chimneys and windows in rural areas close to the epicentre of the quake, which hit at a depth of 27km (17 miles).
Pictures show goods thrown from shelves and food shaken from fridges.
Masterton resident Heather Gowans told Fairfax New Zealand: "It was really shaking and rolling - it went on for about 30 seconds... Everything was swaying and the place was creaking and groaning - but luckily nothing is broken."
New Zealand is located on the boundary of two tectonic plates - the Pacific and Australian plates - and experiences around 14,000 earthquakes a year.
In 2011, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the city of Christchurch, in the South Island, killing 185 people.

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