Former footballer recalls friend who died in Cape Greco boat capsize

Nicosia, Cyprus. Former footballer Kostas Konstantinou has recalled his close friend Dimi Mavropoulos, who died after boats capsized during Saturday’s storm at Cape Greco, describing him as highly experienced and deeply valued by those around him.

Experience in the area

Speaking on the programme Protoselido, Konstantinou said the group had anchored at the location before and knew the area well. He said Mavropoulos had 35 years of experience there, while Christakis Petsas had 30 years and he himself had 15.

“We know the place and we’re like a family,” Konstantinou said, describing Mavropoulos as “the lord of the area. We loved him and appreciated him.”

He said Mavropoulos, who knew the area extremely well, had organised the group’s stay there that day. Konstantinou described him as clever and experienced, saying he loved his boat, helped his friends and was trusted by the group to guide their decisions.

Decision to remain anchored

Konstantinou said many boats had been anchored at the spot, although most departed on Friday. He said the weather shift that struck on Saturday occurs every year and that a similar spell took place at the start of the previous season, although conditions were less severe.

Before deciding to remain, Konstantinou said he spoke with Mavropoulos and Petsas. The three agreed to stay because they believed their boats were large enough and their anchor lines were secure.

After 1am, Konstantinou said, the storm intensified and Mavropoulos guided him through the conditions because he knew more than the rest of the group.

Final moments

Konstantinou said Mavropoulos’s final warning to him was that his boat was hitting behind him, leaving him terrified. He said he attempted to raise his anchor as conditions became more dramatic.

He said he saw Petsas’s boat sink and then watched Mavropoulos’s boat being pushed backwards. Mavropoulos had no option but to begin moving, Konstantinou said.

The boat was operating with one engine because the other had a mechanical problem, he said, while Mavropoulos was attempting to steer away from the rocks. Mavropoulos realised he needed to move the boat and managed to raise its anchors, according to Konstantinou.

Konstantinou said he initially felt relief, believing his friend would reach the other side, as he had done himself. However, he said a wave pulled Mavropoulos’s boat back.

Konstantinou’s escape

Konstantinou said his own anchor became caught on rocks beneath the water, preventing his boat from being swept in the same direction. He said luck alone kept him from ending up underneath Mavropoulos’s boat.

“I wouldn’t have made it,” he said.

The two men last saw each other in person on the previous Friday, when Mavropoulos hosted Konstantinou on his boat, Konstantinou said.