Nicosia: A decision on banning vessels from sailing, depending on weather conditions and the size of the vessels, is expected to be taken by the Cabinet, Justice and Public Order Minister Costas Fytiris said Tuesday, noting that the decision will remain in force until a bill concerning the establishment of a Coast Guard is passed.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the announcement was made following a meeting held on Tuesday morning at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), attended by Fytiris, Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis, Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis, and other officials. The meeting focused on maritime safety and measures to protect people in dangerous weather conditions, in the wake of the incident at Cape Greco, last Saturday, when a man died and two vessels were destroyed after running aground during severe weather conditions.
As stressed, the protection of human life remains 'top priority'. Following the meeting at the JRCC, Justice Minister Costas Fytiris said it had been deemed necessary, following the incident at Cape Greco, for the competent ministers to meet to examine what had happened and decide what could be done during the transitional period, given that the Cabinet has already approved the establishment of a Coast Guard.
The minister said the aim was 'to have a single, unified system of coordination for all maritime activities'. 'Today, there is a fragmentation of responsibilities that we had identified 60 years ago,' he said, adding that for that reason, the Government took the decision last March to establish a Coast Guard.
Regarding the Coast Guard bill, Fytiris said it is currently undergoing legal and technical review before being submitted to Parliament for approval, as a government priority. 'This incident brought to light certain shortcomings which we will address during the transitional period through a series of decisions that were taken today,' he said.
He noted that a decision will be issued by the Cabinet, 'hopefully tomorrow', concerning a ban on vessels leaving port, depending on weather conditions and the size and displacement of the vessels. It will remain in force until the Coast Guard bill is passed, he said. Fytiris also said that 'the bill provides for penalties for those who violate the orders that will stem from the legislation'.
Another issue discussed, he said, was monitoring compliance with this decree. This responsibility will be undertaken by the Port and Marine Police, the Police and the Police Helicopter Unit, so that, following the Meteorology Service's warnings about adverse weather conditions, the coastline can be inspected promptly and anyone outside ports and marinas can be instructed to return to shelter in order to protect themselves.
Regarding the rescue operation concerning last Saturday's incident, the Justice Minister said it was coordinated by the JRCC 'with great risk to the helicopters, and this must be acknowledged. Perhaps the worst was avoided. The situation was extremely difficult, with the three vessels close to the rocks; two of them were lost'. 'We hope and believe that we will put this into practice and prevent such an incident from happening again', he said, adding that the cooperation of the public and vessel owners was necessary.
The process of collecting, recovering, removing and transporting all debris and waste resulting from the two vessels destroyed in the sea area off Cape Greco begins Tuesday. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Justice, the collection operation will be carried out by a specialised private company, with the work covering the shoreline, the sea surface and the seabed, with the aim of fully restoring and cleaning up the area.
The Government is also moving ahead with the establishment of a committee on anchorages, which will examine in a comprehensive manner issues relating to safety, the conditions governing vessels remaining at anchor, as well as the collection and proper management of waste, the Ministry said. 'The aim is to ensure coordination among the state services operating at sea, with clear responsibilities and accountability,' it stressed.
'Maritime safety, the protection of human life and the marine environment cannot wait for the completion of institutional procedures. The changes begin now and will be completed with the establishment of the Coast Guard of the Republic of Cyprus,' the statement concludes.