Captain of a Gaza-bound boat, Audacity of Hope, was detained by Greek authorities on Saturday and faces charges of trying to leave port without permission and of endangering the lives of the boat's passengers.

The 60-year-old captain, whose name has not been released by authorities, was being held at Piraeus police headquarters and will remain there until a court hearing Tuesday.

On Friday evening the boat Audacity of Hope tried to quit Greek waters just an hour after Athens announced its ban on departures of ships "with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza."

The boat, reportedly carrying 36 passengers, four crew and about 10 members of the media, was quickly intercepted by a coastguard vessel.

Greece's Civil Protection Authority on Saturday confirmed that the ban has been in place until further notice.