The General Support Ship of the Hellenic Navy, Prometheus, has begun its mission of proscriptive medical support and examinations for citizens living on remote islands, from the island of Gavdos the southernmost area of Greece, 48 klms from Crete.
The floating hospital offers initial medical examination and treatment and is staffed by doctors from eight different fields of medicine, while also offering a full recovery unit, a surgery, an ICU , patients ward, radiology and microbiology labs, and a dental surgery. Patients needing additional care will be taken to military hospitals.
H.N. Prometheus ( Α-374) is the largest ship in the Hellenic Navy (actually, ever), displacing 13,400 tons. It was built at Elefsis shipyards using the designs of the Italian Navy's ETNA class.

Arrests of immigrants trying to illegaly cross to Italy by boarding ferries, are continuing unabated, in the western port of Patras. In the last three days alone, more than 40 immigrants have been arrested, while more than 100 since the beginning of September.
According to police and coast guard officials the rise in the numbers trying to clandestinely leave for Italy may be due to the higher traffic of the summer months.
As officials estimate, the gangs that deal in this trafficking believe that the increased traffic in passengers and vehicles allows greater leeway for smuggling illegals aboard ships destined for Italy.
In a recent characteristic case 24 illegal immigrants had climbed aboard a full tour bus, trying to hide among passengers. In another two cases, ten immigrants were spotted hiding in trucks carrying grapes and insulating materials.