Phase II Kamini Erosion Project
Lots of new fishing spots
Hydra's summer guests find it difficult to envisage anything other than millpond calm, crystal clear water tempting them to escape the blistering Mediterranean sun. Gentle wavelets only occasionally ruffle the glasslike sea from passing boats or catamarans. Visitors tend not to comprehend the extreme difference during a rollicking winter storm. But even on a mild, sunny Autumn's day, the wind chases powerful sea-horses that rush and foam as they break against the harbour walls and sheer cliffs along Hydra's coastline.
Hydra Island shimmers above water year-round with swan-like serenity belying the frantic activity that constantly erodes beneath the surface. The summer's gently lapping sea quietly weakens walls below the waterline. Then the winter storms rage in to take advantage of the weakened state, smashing then dragging the wall and jetty foundations to the depths.
As you might imagine, the Hydra Municipality and authorities, have to wage an on-going war against the elements to preserve the gorgeous step-back-in-time appearance that everyone loves about Hydra. And, of course, to keep the harbours and jetties safe enough for people to use them without collapse.
One of the latest erosion-prevention projects is the wall that protects the pretty landmark harbour at Kamini.
With funding of just under half a million euros from Piraeus, this four-month project is being managed by engineer Petros Vasakos under the Hydra Municipality's auspices.
Inspired by some photos posted on social media by Maria Hanson (of the Hydra Windmill) and prompted by Tim Petras who is hosting the engineer at his half-finished home on the harbour wall, I spent a sunny but breezy December morning finding out more.
Petros explained (with Giannis Kitsos of the Hydra Diving Centre kindly translating) what the stages were.
First, the Macedonia Barge brought huge 40-tonne boulders across from the mainland. They have been carefully lowered about 50m away from the existing jetty wall, underwater just before the shoreline plunges to the depths.
Next, the barge made numerous daily trips to bring over medium-sized boulders that were dropped beneath the waves.
Giannis has been on hand for the project's duration to dive down to make sure everything is as it should be.
To avoid the smaller rocks, silt and even the medium-sized rocks that form the defensive foundation from being pulled away, a heavy-duty canvas and rolls of durable netting was next.
Giannis was responsible for being in the water to perform the fiddly job of tying and clipping the canvas and netting together. Onshore, he had help from Kostas. On the day I was there, somehow Kostas stayed relatively dry although his boots did get filled with water frequently!
The final stage is to cover the foundations, canvas and netting with massive boulders. These are piled so high, that from the inside wall of the harbour jetty you won't be able to see out!
To preserve the harbour, this is a vital project for Hydra. It's more or less completed now and ready for everyone to come and see it for themselves.
And one of the leisure upsides is that many of the top boulders are as flat as benches. It will be a fantastic place to fish off for next summer!
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