**Shipping Ministry to Assume Control of New Coast Guard**
The government of Cyprus is set to establish a new coast guard service, which will initially operate under the jurisdiction of the justice ministry before transitioning to the deputy shipping ministry. This plan was discussed during a session of the House audit committee on Thursday, where Nikos Chrysostomou, a representative from the justice ministry, provided an update on the progress of the initiative.
According to Chrysostomou, a draft bill aimed at formalizing the establishment of the coast guard is currently under review by the legal service. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris initiated the examination of the coast guard's creation after identifying overlapping roles and inefficiencies in maritime affairs management. The goal is to optimize the use of personnel and resources while reducing operational costs.
“The cabinet has given the green light for the establishment of a legislative committee to oversee this process,” Chrysostomou stated. The proposed coast guard will have a range of responsibilities, including the protection of offshore platforms and fiber optic cables within Cyprus' maritime zone. The service is designed to operate independently from the police and will take on maritime law enforcement duties.
The government approved the coast guard's creation in principle back in March, with plans to consolidate responsibilities that are currently spread across various state services. This consolidation aims to streamline operations and enhance the effectiveness of maritime safety and security measures.
The new coast guard will be headquartered at the Evangelos Florakis naval base in Mari, where infrastructure improvements are planned to support its operations. In the interim, the government has implemented temporary measures to enhance maritime safety. Earlier this month, the cabinet approved amendments that empower authorities to prohibit vessels from departing Cyprus during adverse weather conditions and require those already at sea to return to safe harbors. These measures were prompted by a tragic incident earlier this month, which saw the sinking of two vessels off Cape Greco, resulting in the death of 76-year-old Dimis Mavropoulos when his yacht, the Perla Bianca, capsized in rough seas.
The proposal for the coast guard has garnered support from various political figures. Diko MP and committee chairman Zacharias Koulias expressed his approval, stating, “I believe that it is a big gap, and finally at sea there will be order.” However, there are concerns regarding the proposed transfer of the coast guard's oversight to the deputy shipping ministry. Disy MP Giorgos Pamborides raised a constitutional issue, arguing that the deputy shipping ministry lacks the necessary law enforcement powers to effectively manage the coast guard.
Additionally, concerns have been voiced by the Isotita (Equality) police branch’s union president, Nikos Loizides. He warned that the transfer of personnel from existing services to the coast guard could exacerbate the already strained resources of the police force, which is currently short by approximately 637 officers.
As the legal review of the draft bill progresses, the government remains focused on establishing a robust maritime safety framework that addresses the needs of Cyprus’ coastal and maritime activities. The establishment of the coast guard is seen as a critical step towards improving maritime security and ensuring the safety of vessels operating in Cypriot waters.