ALMA proposes law to ban boats sailing in dangerous weather

Local almaTop NewsWeather ALMA proposes law to ban boats sailing in dangerous weather Kavo Gkreko Tragodia Relevant News ALMA proposes law to ban boats sailing in dangerous weather 1 September 2026 Boundless respect 1 September 2026 The deadly shipwreck off occupied Kyrenia 1 September 2026 newsroom 1 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The ALMA Movement – Citizens for Cyprus has prepared a bill aimed at protecting boats in dangerous weather conditions. ALMA MP Irene Charalambides told philenews the bill is designed to close a legislative gap in the powers of the competent authorities to ban vessels from sailing when conditions pose a serious risk to human life, a gap tragically exposed by the recent Cape Greco incident. The proposal has already been forwarded to the House of Representatives’ services to follow the required procedure and be tabled at the next plenary session. Ban on departure or arrival According to the explanatory report accompanying the bill, the aim is to close a gap in the legislative framework for taking preventive safety measures in cases of especially adverse sea or weather conditions, so that the Competent Authority’s powers can also apply to ships and boats that, because of their gross tonnage, length, type or use, do not currently fall within the scope of the main law. In practice, the bill extends to smaller vessels powers that already apply to certain categories of larger ships. Article 21 of the main law already allows the Competent Authority to take appropriate measures, including recommending or banning departure or arrival, when weather or sea conditions are especially adverse and pose a serious risk to human life or the environment, the report states. These provisions were introduced to harmonise Cypriot law with EU Directive 2002/59/EC. They generally apply to ships with a gross tonnage of 300 units or more, while certain categories of smaller ships and boats are currently excluded. Article 3 of the main law allows these limits and exclusions to be overridden where the law provides otherwise, and the bill uses this provision specifically to address especially adverse sea or weather conditions, without changing the law’s general scope or its other EU-harmonisation provisions. Specifically, the bill proposes extending this power, for this purpose only, to ships and boats located in a Republic of Cyprus port or within its territorial waters that are not otherwise covered by the main law. Warships, auxiliary warships and other state vessels used for non-commercial public services would remain excluded. Preventive relocation of boats The bill is not limited to banning departure or arrival, the report adds. Especially adverse weather or sea conditions can also pose a serious risk to boats already at sea or anchored in exposed coastal areas. For this reason, the Competent Authority would be able, depending on the circumstances, to restrict or ban navigation, anchoring or remaining in a specific area, and, where necessary, to order the preventive relocation of a ship or boat to a safe port, marina, fishing shelter, safe anchorage or other suitable sheltered location. Any measure taken would be based on the state of the sea and the weather forecast provided by a competent meteorological service recognised by the Republic, the bill states. It also provides for the possibility of issuing a general directive for a specific area or category of ships, so that in the event of imminent danger, each affected boat would not need to be notified individually. A captain would be able, in exceptional circumstances, to deviate from a directive to remain in place or relocate, if they reasonably judge that immediate compliance would create a more serious and immediate risk to human life or the safety of the ship. They would be required to inform the Competent Authority accordingly. This provision is intended to ensure that a preventive measure does not, because of a sudden change in actual conditions, produce a result contrary to the purpose of safety. Fine of up to €10,000 To ensure the measures are effectively enforced, the bill provides that where the Competent Authority has reasonable cause to believe, based on specific evidence gathered through an investigation, that a captain or vessel operator has breached or failed to comply with an obligation under paragraph 7 of Article 21, it may act. In such cases, it may impose an administrative fine of up to €10,000, depending on the nature, severity and circumstances of the breach. This power would be exercised by the existing Competent Authority within the responsibilities of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping. The bill does not create a new service, administrative mechanism or posts, and does not involve any additional public expenditure. Read more: Cyprus to impose emergency sailing ban after Cape Greco tragedy Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Boundless respect The deadly shipwreck off occupied Kyrenia Cyprus records four confirmed West Nile virus cases, health ministry says situation controlled Love rivalry suspected behind Nicosia stabbing of 21-year-old India busts firm faking expiry dates, nutrition labels on PepsiCo, Nestle food exports Overnight pharmacies on Tuesday, September 1 Death toll in Kyrenia shipwreck disputed as survivor says two bodies not on official list Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.