A question (Ref. No. 5783/8/4/21) addressed to the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Yiannis Plakiotakis, was submitted by the Member of Parliament for Laconia, Mr. Neoklis Kritikos, regarding the need to establish shipping lanes through the Strait of Kythira and the installation of a special radar system – VTS Traffic Maritime, following the collision of two cargo ships in the Gulf of Laconia,» as stated in a press release from the Laconia MP’s office.
In his question, Mr. Kritikos essentially proposes two specific actions:
1. Establishment of a Traffic Separation Zone (separation zone), i.e., a Vessel Traffic Separation Scheme
2. Establishment of a Vessel Traffic Control and Management Center using VTS, radar, and VHF equipment
The need to address the issue of ensuring safe passage through the Kythira Strait is of paramount importance, as it is essential to prevent any accident that would endanger human life, environmental pollution, and tourism. Finally, Mr. Kritikos also attaches particular importance to the existence of the sunken city of Pavlopetri, one of the oldest sunken cities in the world, which covers approximately 50 stremmata and includes intact floor plans of building complexes, courtyards, streets, chamber tombs, and box-shaped tombs,» the announcement further emphasizes.
The following is the question posed by Mr. Kritikos to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy:
«Dear Minister,
This question is prompted by the recent collision of two shipsC ships in the Gulf of Laconia and the resulting concern among residents of the wider area of Vatika and Elafonisos regarding the safety of these ships’ passage, the possibility of further accidents, and the need to establish rules governing their passage through the Strait of Kythira, as well as the need to prevent the risk of loss of human life.
This need for strict regulation is further underscored today by the suspension of ship traffic through the Corinth Canal, a development that is increasing the number of ships and, consequently, the frequency of transit.
The Kythira Strait is a passage where accidents have been recorded, such as the most recent one on March 13 involving the cargo ships KIVELI (flying the Liberian flag) and the AFINA (flying the Maltese flag), as well as ship groundings (see the Turkish-flagged «SAFFET BEY» RO-RO CARGO, flying the Turkish flag, in September 2016 at Agios Nikolaos–Neapolis, and in June 2017, the cargo ship «St. Gregory,» a Bahamian-flagged vessel, in Kotronas, Eastern Mani).
The above factors create an urgent need to take two actions:
1. The establishment of a Traffic Zone in the Kythira Strait
2. The establishment of a Vessel Traffic Control and Management Center, which would, on the one hand, assist with vessel navigation and, on the other hand, significantly reduce the risk of accidents, since each ship would be required to follow the designated lane corresponding to its direction of travel and under no circumstances would it be allowed to enter the opposite lane
Specifically and in more detail regarding:
A. The Separation Zone, i.e., the Vessel Traffic Separation Scheme:
1. This rule applies to maritime traffic separation schemes that have been adopted by the Organization; however, it does not exempt any ship from the obligation to comply with any other applicable rule.
2. Every ship using a traffic separation scheme must:
2.1. To sail within the corresponding lane and in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane.
2.2. Stay as far away as practicable from the traffic dividing line or the dividing zone.
2.3. Drivers should normally enter or exit a traffic lane at the point where it ends. However, when entering or exiting from either side, they must do so at the smallest practical angle relative to the general direction of traffic flow.
3. Every vessel must, as far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes. However, if it is obliged to do so, it shall cross them on a course that is, as far as practicable, as close to a right angle as possible to the general direction of the traffic flow.
4. A vessel shall not use the coastal traffic zone when it can safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme. However, vessels less than 20 meters in length, sailing vessels, and fishing vessels may use the coastal traffic zone.
B. Regarding the Vessel Traffic Control and Management Center:
Its purpose is to communicate and interact directly with ships via VHF and to respond to various situations that arise within its area of responsibility.
The agency's primary mission is to ensure the safe management of maritime traffic and to protect human life, ships, and the environment.
What are the requirements for its operation:
1. Installation of the VTS, radar, and VHF systems, along with the associated electrical and mechanical support systems
2. Appropriately trained and certified staff to operate it.
The radar will provide an immediate, real-time image of the ship. Although ships are equipped with AIS (Automatic Identification System), they have the option of turning it off.
In contrast, the VTS Traffic Maritime system, using radar and VHF, will monitor ships starting at 40 nautical miles, track their course, and require ships to report all their details, as well as their entry and exit times. This will eliminate the risk of accidents. It will also be able to monitor vessels entering and exiting the Gulf of Vatika and the wider Laconic Gulf for refueling and anchoring.
All of the above are of critical importance to the wider region, as preventing any accident that would harm the marine and coastal environment would lead to economic disaster, since tourism is the region’s primary source of revenue. The area is also home to Pavlopetri, one of the oldest sunken cities in the world, which covers approximately 50 stremmata and includes intact floor plans of building complexes, courtyards, streets, chamber tombs, and box-shaped tombs.
In light of the above, we ask you, Mr. Minister:
Does the Ministry intend, in cooperation with the relevant agencies, to promote a substantive solution to mitigate the risk of accidents in the Strait of Kythira and the wider area of the Laconian?;
Sincerely,
NEOKLIS D. KRITIKOS
Member of Parliament for the Regional Unit of Laconia – NEW DEMOCRACY»
