Helicopters were deployed earlier today to assist 18 members of the crew.

The remaining four seafarers who were still on the vessel have been finally brought to safety, the Hellenic Coastguard said.

As the weather got worse, making it impossible for helicopters to approach the vessel, authorities had to deploy a special force unit of the fire department.

Three towage vessels are at the scene in order to refloat the grounded 1984-built bulker.

Greek