In recent days, some media outlets and online portals have published inaccurate and incomplete information that may create the wrong impression among the public that Croatian private tourist shipping companies are not operating in accordance with the regulations governing maritime safety. Such claims are particularly concerning at a time when, after several tragic maritime accidents that shook the Croatian public this season, the issue of safety at sea is rightly in the spotlight.
In order to fully and accurately inform the public, the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners emphasizes that the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, through dialogue with the profession, confirmed that safety regulations can be improved by taking into account expert and well-argued proposals. After consultations with representatives of the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners, the Ministry accepted the Association’s comments and amended the provision of the Ordinance on the Safety of Maritime Navigation in Inland Waters and the Territorial Sea of the Republic of Croatia and the Manner and Conditions for Performing Supervision and Management of Maritime Traffic, which regulates the mooring of vessels along the coast.
By amending Article 53, paragraph 7 of the Ordinance, the maximum permitted distance of moorings along the shore has been increased from 50 to 70 meters, taking into account the arguments presented by the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners during the consultations. The provision now reads:
“Vessels are prohibited from mooring along the coast in such a way that any of their parts or accessories are 70 or more meters away from the shore, whereby the length of the released anchor chain/rope is measured from the end point of the bow/stern of the vessel to the point on the sea surface where the anchor chain/rope enters the sea.”
The aforementioned amendment clearly confirms that sector representatives participated in the regulatory process in a constructive and responsible manner, with the aim of finding solutions that will simultaneously ensure the highest standards of navigation safety and be implementable in the everyday practice of professional seafarers.
The Croatian Association of Private Boat Owners brings together almost 300 members, owners of small tourist boats and yachts from all parts of the Croatian coast. The members of the Association make a significant contribution to the Croatian economy, employ a large number of seafarers and other workers, and create a unique and internationally recognizable product of Croatian nautical tourism. For this reason, the HUPB will continue to actively and responsibly participate in the development of regulations governing maritime transport, advocating solutions that simultaneously increase the level of safety, protect the sea, and enable the sustainable development of domestic shipping.
