[InTime News]
Certain ferry companies resumed services from Piraeus on Friday evening, with more expected in the coming hours, after a sailing ban earlier in the day left large numbers of travelers stranded at Athens’ ports of Piraeus, Lavrio, and Rafina.
Authorities said ferry routes from Rafina to Andros will operate normally after 1 a.m., while morning departures from Lavrio are expected to run on schedule.Â
Gusty winds are forecast to ease temporarily after midnight, though strong northerly winds are set to return across the Aegean and eastern mainland until at least Sunday.
According to local media outlet SKAI, some ferry companies are choosing to operate routes despite the ban, at their own risk, as permitted under regulations.
The Coast Guard has urged passengers to confirm new departure times directly with operators before heading to ports, where heavy traffic and long waits have built up.
Earlier Friday, only services to the Argo-Saronic islands from Piraeus and to Marmari in southwest Evia were running.
State broadcaster ERT reported many passengers have been at the ports since very early Friday morning, while others traveled from provincial towns only to face cancellations, compounding the frustration.
This story has been updated.Â