Greeks plan sea fence for islands

ATHENS, Greece — The government in Greece wants to use a floating barrier to help stop migrants from reaching the Greek islands from the nearby coast of Turkey.

The Defense Ministry has invited private contractors to bid on supplying a 1.7-mile floating fence within three months, according to information available on a government procurement website Wednesday. No details were given on when the barrier might be installed.

A resurgence in the number of migrants and refugees arriving by sea to Lesbos and other eastern Greek islands has caused severe overcrowding at refugee camps.

The netted barrier would rise 20 inches above water and be designed to hold flashing lights, the submission said.

The Defense Ministry estimates the project will cost $550,000, which includes four years of maintenance.

The government’s description says the “floating barrier system” needs to be built “with non-military specifications” and “specific features for carrying out the mission of [maritime agencies] in managing the refugee crisis.”

“This contract process will be executed by the Defense Ministry but is for civilian use — a process similar to that used for the supply of other equipment for [camps] housing refugees and migrants,” a government official told The Associated Press.

The official asked not to be identified.

Greece’s 6-month-old center-right government has promised to take a tougher line on the migration crisis and plans to set up detention facilities for migrants denied asylum and to speed up deportations back to Turkey.