Israeli boat missing off the coast of Paphos — search underway

The Cyprus Search and Rescue Coordination Center (ΚΣΕΔ) in Larnaca is conducting a search for a vessel that departed from the Ashkelon marina in Israel and went missing on its way to Crete.

The boat, carrying four people, left on December 2 but never arrived at its destination. The last signal was recorded approximately 90 nautical miles south of Paphos.

After notification from the Greek authorities, ΚΣΕΔ activated the national “Nearhos” plan, directed nearby passing vessels to the search area, and issued alerts via radio and NAVTEX.

Search operations continued throughout the night and are ongoing today. Due to weather conditions, helicopters are not yet participating in the operation — they will join as soon as the weather allows.

According to media reports, the boat’s captain is a 41-year-old experienced sailor, and the Cyprus authorities are in contact with Israel, as it is possible the boat may have attempted to return.