Maritime patrol to ensure clean seas

At a press conference held yesterday, Tuesday 16.6.2020 on the coastal front, the Mayor of Limassol, Nicos Nicolaides, called on everyone to help keep the sea of Limassol clean and presented the means employed to monitor sea pollution (five vessels and other equipment). The Mayor also analysed the action plan that has been prepared for this purpose.

The press conference was attended by all bodies involved, such as the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, the Office of the Environment Commissioner, the Cyprus Ports Authority, the department of Environment, the department of Fisheries, the Port and Marine Police, the District Administration and other Local Authorities.

“Our top priority is the prevention and suppression of marine pollution in the Municipalities of Limassol and Germasogeia, as well as in the Community Council of Ayios Tychonas”,  said Mr Nicolaides, pointing out that to ensure this, it is important that all services involved cooperate and take actions.

He further added that in the “battle” against sea pollution a great variety of means are employed, while the equipment of the Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System has been upgraded with the ultimate goal of improving its functionality and efficiency.

The Municipality of Limassol coordinates the whole effort through the lease of two boats by the company VTS, which patrol daily from 5.30am, while the Municipality’s own boat “LEMESOS” conducts patrols on a daily basis from 6.00 to 9.00am. These vessels are complemented by an R.I.B. boat and a vessel of the Port and Marine Police for patrol purposes.

The Mayor also talked about the 24-hour hotline 77 77 77 88 by means of which the public can share information related to the sea of Limassol.

At the conference, the Mayor also revealed that the Municipality, in collaboration with a private university, will proceed with the conduct of a new study for possible sources of pollution. It is noted that a relevant study was also previously carried out by CUT.

According to the Mayor, the company VTS provides a weekly report for each incident and each incident is mapped. Inspections are already being carried out by the department of Environment for possible sources of land-based marine pollution.

The Mayor made special reference to bathers, lifeguards, organised ensembles and winter swimmers applauding the great sensitivity they demonstrate towards the issue of sea pollution. 

During the conference, the port manager, Panayiotis Agathocleous, stated that with the upgraded electronic systems available to the Port Authority, all waste storage tanks of the vessels anchored are monitored and in the event that the tank fill level is more than 50%, the tank must be delivered. He noted that in recent years, a penalty system has been applied, and to date 12 out-of-court fines have been issued to ship companies, eight of which involved marine pollution.