Chimera, as also entitled the iconic novel of M. Karagatsis, was a mythological monster of antiquity, with a goat body, lion head and snake tail) which exhaled fire. Metaphorically, the word is used to declare a deceptive, impossible dream or a dangerous fantasy.
The negative climate that accompanies it, however, seems to have... found impact on a vessel named after her, even if she then attempted to shake it off by being baptized. «Demeter».
Despite ambitious plans to upgrade to luxury yacht, his luck has not changed and he has been locked up in a shipyard for years in Perama, waiting for his next owner who might have taken it to sea. Which, as time goes by, seems unlikely.
His story
This vessel, as evidence suggests, has a fairly rich history as it was made in 2002 and the company that had put it in a yard in Perama for reconstruction as it was active in maritime tourism. But then, in essence, he left it there and disappeared. So, the boat from...2004, i.e. 22 years ago, remains stuck in the yard's doco, where only the debt was left.
According to the seizure report, this is a ship, during the registration operation motorized, diesel-powered, under the Greek flag of the name «CEREALS» («DIMITRA»), ex-named «CHIMERA – HIMERA», made in the year 2002 of electrocoagulated steel and aluminium, registered in Class A/P A’ of the Port of Piraeus and not yet painted. It has a maximum length of 28 metres, a net length of 24.48 meters, a maximum external width of 6,40 meters, a depth from the counting deck of 3.15 metres and according to a counting protocol (March 2002) is of a total capacity of 167 kronor, while a net capacity (e.g.) of 50 kronor.
In the course of the registration operation, it operates with two internal combustion diesel engines (CUASOR ESPANA) E 318 SP) horsepower 2X442 = 884 BHP / 1800 RPM, which (machines), as highlighted, «were not found to be fitted on board, but were never at the shipyard premises».
According to the autopsy on the day of execution, it is «carcass» a ship unfinished with iron and aluminum construction (aluminium from the main deck to the bridge) finished by 95%, found at the premises of the Shipyard of the accelerated one where it had come for reconstruction, without any space configurations, without electrical and rescue equipment, without annexes, without main and auxiliary machines, without axles, propellers, anchors, rudders and other navigation systems and of course without master and crew.
As noted, «the ship has been studied for high requirements cruises serving ten occupants in five double cabins which are not shaped, shaped like a bow cruiser and aft plate»...In other words they aspired to act as luxury yacht, such as those who are hired for several thousand euros a week, but ended up... quary.
The successive hammers and court order
This carcass was left in the hands of the accelerated company that has a modern shipbuilding unit in Perama and belongs to the reliable companies in the industry. But together the debts of the work that had been carried out remained. Thus, a court struggle began against the shipowner, who was based in Kaminia, Piraeus but is now referred to as «unknown residence»...
Finally, in 2025 the Piraeus Trimeles Court of Appeals finally ordered the shipowner to pay the yard the amount of EUR 109,200 legally and EUR 7,000 for legal expenses, with the total debt now reaching EUR 175.084,79.
The seizure of the ship followed and the... adventure of auctions. On the basis of the estimate the vessel's value was 255,000 euros and on 18 June 2025 it came out on the hammer at a first offer price of 170.00 euros. However, the auction was cancelled in the absence of bidders, as was the following on 23 July, at the same price. The third took place on 24 September 2025 with the price reduced by 20%, at 136,000 euros, but also ended up barren. The fourth was followed on 19 November 2025, with «bar» The Commission will continue its efforts to ensure that the European Parliament is fully involved in this process.
In January 2026 the intervener appealed to the Single-Member Court of Piraeus asking for a drastic price reduction. In particular, as he argued, - and with the debtor shipowner not present - the vessel is now only for scrap with the value of not exceeding EUR 43,400. So he asked to come out at 2/3 of it, i.e. 28,934 euros. The court by decision handed down on 2 March 2026 decided that in the next hammer should come out with «discount» 55% compared to the initial price, i.e. EUR 76,500.
At this first bid price the fifth auction will be held on 29 April and it remains to be seen whether there will be an interested party.
