Greek ferry berths safely after running aground

ATHENS (Reuters) - A Greek ferry carrying almost 600 passengers and crew berthed safely at the Aegean island of Inousses after running aground off the island, the country's merchant marine ministry said on Saturday.

The ferry, named Theophilos, ran aground off the northeast Aegean island while on route to Piraeus from Mytiline and the captain had ordered preparations for an evacuation but continued to the island after initial investigations deemed it safe.

"The ship has anchored immediately off the dock and all 478 passengers and most of the crew have disembarked safely," a ministry official said. "There is no danger, inspectors will now look to repair the damage."

Passengers will be picked up by another ferry that has been sent to the island to transfer them to their destinations, the official said.

This is the third incident involving a Greek ship since the start of the year.

Last year a ferry named Sea Diamond sank off the island of Santorini after hitting a reef near the port, forcing 1,500 passengers and crew to evacuate, while two French tourists were missing and are presumed dead.

(Reporting by George Hatzidakis; Editing by Ibon Villelabeitia)