Also considering the favorable weather conditions ascertained, the past weekend has certainly been a busy one for the men and women of the Ischia Coast Guard, once again engaged in Operation Mare Sicuro 2018 under the constant coordination of the Campania Maritime Directorate under the Command of Rear Admiral (CP) Arturo Faraone.
In fact, hundreds of pleasure boats and vessels have been found along most of the coastal stretches of the island and in the most famous bays, a symptom of a further increase in nautical pleasure boating on the island of Ischia.
The Coast Guard of Ischia carried out numerous checks on vessels sailing and anchored in the waters of the island and at bathing establishments located on the various coastlines of the island, which led to the notification of 24 administrative violations for a total amount of 12.144,26 euros.
The violations mainly concerned failure to comply with the prohibitions set out in the current Bathing Safety Ordinance, close navigation close to the coast and anchoring in prohibited areas included in the areas of the Marine Protected Area “Regno di Nettuno”.
Among these, the conduct of a motor vessel by a minor for whom a boating license is required was also ascertained. The parent was given a fine of €3.672,00.
Instead, the violations ascertained amount to 11 (eleven) for infringements committed within the Marine Protected Area “Regno di Nettuno” for a total of €3.300,00 (unauthorized anchoring and other violations of the Marine Area Regulations).
In accordance with the provisions of the Bathing Safety Ordinance issued by the Maritime District Office of Ischia 2017 Edition, the sea area for a distance of 200 meters from the beaches and 100 meters from the high coasts or those overlooking the sea (not affected by prohibition orders due to the risk of landslides and except in cases where a specific maritime state concession has designated bodies of water for the mooring of boats) is primarily intended for bathing. The sea areas reserved for bathers can be crossed by motor or sailing vessels, using - only and exclusively - the appropriate launch corridors, only to reach the mooring place at the bodies of water where this is permitted and/or at jetties, provided they are moving slowly (minimum maneuvering speed).
With regard to anchoring, all boaters are requested to strictly comply with the provisions of art. 18 “Regulations on anchoring activities” of the DECREE of 30 July 2009 “Approval of the implementing and organisational regulations of the marine protected area Regno di Nettuno, formulated and adopted by the Management Consortium, in its capacity as Managing Body”.
In this regard, it is considered appropriate to sensitize the yachtsmen who intend to sail and admire the beauties of the Island during the current bathing season to a more punctual preventive check of fuel autonomy, weather conditions in the area, on-board documents, safety and on-board equipment as well as to respect the speed limits and distances from the coast when sailing.
Careless disregard of such advice and lack of attention to the prohibitions imposed by local ordinances, especially in this period of tourist and recreational influx, could lead to situations of serious risk and danger for human life at sea and for the safety of navigation.
All boaters are also requested, for safety reasons, when returning to the Ports - especially in the afternoon - to immediately reach the assigned mooring place without hindering the entry and exit operations and the water areas intended for the manoeuvring of naval units (ferries and hydrofoils) engaged in the scheduled passenger transport service (in the Port of Ischia avoid parking near the fuel station while waiting to be able to carry out bunkering operations).
Also noteworthy is the coordination of a rescue operation yesterday afternoon by a yachtsman on board a vessel sailing in the Cartaromana area who suffered a cardiac arrest. Having received the report, the Coast Guard allowed the heart attack victim to be rapidly recovered by the 118 personnel who immediately intervened on site and subsequently transferred the person in need of urgent assistance to the hospital.
However, there has been no shortage of virtuous boaters who, following the checks carried out on the pleasure craft they drive and the safety equipment on board, have obtained the “BLUE STAMP 2018” (37 stamps issued this week), an initiative which, with the introduction and provision within the new recreational boating code, will allow boaters to experience the sea while avoiding duplication of checks on navigation safety and, therefore, more peacefully.
For telephone information, the Ischia Coast Guard Operations Room is always active, contactable at 0815072801, which will always be answered by personnel on duty who can clarify any doubts on the correct use of coastal areas and on current prohibitions.
Attention to maritime activities in general will always remain very high for this summer season, therefore, all bathers and yachtsmen are advised not to lower their guard and to strictly respect the Bathing Safety Ordinance issued by the Ischia Coast Guard and which can be consulted directly on the institutional website www.guardiacostiera.it/ischia.
Have fun YES, but with caution and common sense, in full compliance with the rules, the sea and all maritime and recreational activities.
Finally, we remind you that, for reporting emergencies, the toll-free number for emergencies at sea “1530” is operational, active 24 hours a day, free of charge and available from both landlines and mobiles, to which it will be possible to forward any requests for assistance.
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