The Dignite al Karama, one of the ships which had intended to take part in a Gaza-bound international freedom flotilla, has left Greek island of Crete with about 10 pro-Palestinian activists on board.
Greek authorities banned all flotilla vessels from leaving the country's ports earlier this week, but the French ship was granted permission by the coast guard to sail to Rhodes on Saturday, Reuters reported.
But an activist on board said the boat's final destination was Gaza.
"We hope that we will reach that destination, but for the time being we are sailing within Greek waters," says Vangelis Pissias, a member of the flotilla's steering committee.
Eight ships remain blocked in Greek ports while a ninth sits in need of repair in a Turkish port after an apparent incident of sabotage.
PHOTO CAPTION
Flotilla activists with the Palestinian flag demonstrate onboard the French "Louise Michel" boat at a marina in the port of Piraeus near Athens July 4, 2011.
Al-Jazeera