THE NEWS OF SITESAP MAY 2024
12/05 Privatization of Lavrion Port – Meeting with HRADF
12/5. The President, First Vice-President, General Secretary and the Public Relations director met at TAIPED with the President of Lavrion Port Authority Mr. Nikolaos Giambanas. They brought up all issues related to the privatization of the port of Lavrio and asked to avoid the mistakes made with the concession of the Alimos marina. At the same time, they presented what has happened to Alimos Marina since the day it was granted until today, the mooring feesand the condition of the marina.
15/5 EBI Executive Committee Meeting
15/5. The President participated via teleconference in the EBI executive committee meeting.The topics discussed were:
- Presentation by Sarah Bosman, Research Officer at European Crime Prevention Network of proposals to deal with the theft of boats and their accessories.
- Update on the initiatives of the Belgian Presidency to determine what can be done at the end of life of vessels.
- Questionnaire for members regarding national restrictions on emission limits
- Procedures for major vessel modifications.
- Study by the European Commission on the common recognition of navigational diplomas.
- In matters of local concerns to members we raised the lack of berths and infrastructure and the ever-increasing berthing prices and how this affects the running costs of the vessel.
15/5 INSB Class Pre-Posidonia 2024 corporate event
Pre-Posidonia 2024
15/5. The President and the Director of Public Relations attended an event organized by the INSB classification in view of the Poseidonia. They met with the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Theoharis, where the progress of the procedures for the transition to the low rate of VAT on charters was discussed. With the new Director of the Ship Control Sector Admiral L.S. Mr. Rokidis Zafirios, the issue of pharmacies and other issues concerning the sector were discussed and it was decided to set a meeting at his office. It was also agreed with the President of the Hellenic Maritime Chamber (NEE) Mr. Georgios Pateras to have a meeting after Poseidonia.
16/5 Amendment of legislation on land-based mooring of ships.
16/5. A working group was set up at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to regulate issues and formulate proposals regarding the land-based mooring and solution of ships. We were asked forour own proposals, which we submitted. We remind you that we raised the issue with letters to the Ministry a few months ago after incidents we had mainly in Nafplio.
21/5 Mandraki Rhodes – Mooring issues
21/5. There was a problem with the docking of our members and boats at the Mandraki Marina in Rhodes. The President contacted the President of the Port Fund, then a relevant letter was sent to the NEE and after their intervention (Mr. Politis) the matter was settled, for which we are very grateful.
24/5 Blocking the use of the pier in Ammoudi ( Santorini)
24/5. An issue has arisen on the island of Santorini due to the blocking of the road that goes to Ammoudi due to landslides. At the pier there, thousands of tourists board boats for day trips as well as cruise ships. There are also still the issues of the blocking of the entrance to the fishing shelter of Vlychada due to embankments, opening of the entrance that is planned to take place in the heart of the tourist season, and finally of illegal fees for boats. The local union requested the assistance of SITESAP.
25/5. An issue was presented to the port authority of Mykonos
25/5. An issue arose in Mykonos where the port authority required all commercial vessels carrying more than 12 passengers to issue a special certificate of passengers recording. After contacting the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, it was clarified that this certificate does not concern Professional Tourist Boats fully chartered without a permanent crew. When they are boarded by a skipper insured with NAT or EFKA then it is not considered a bare boat and it is at the discretion of the port authority to request the certificate.
27/5 Meeting of the Minister of Maritime Affairs with local unions and authorities in Santorini
27/5. The Minister of Maritime Affairs Mr. Stylianidis visited Santorini and met with the island and authorities to discuss the problems that have arisen. On behalf of SITESAP, our representative in Santorini, Mr. Georgios Kikidopoulos, participated and presented the problems that exist.
27/5 Prohibition of use of the northern side of the floating jetty in the port of Skiathos by professional tourist boats.
27/5. Members active in Skiathos reported a problem with the docking of their vessels on the north side of the floating pier because according to the Port Funds and 2020 zoning decision, it is reserved fpr small and passing vessels. There was communication with the president of the Port Fund, Mr. Georgios Dioletas, to settle the matter, who promised that he would try to serve the professional yachts.
30/5 Visit of members of the Board of Directors of the union in Lefkada, meeting with members and the authorities.
30/5. The President, the General Secretary, the Director of Public Relations and the Secretary of the union traveled to Lefkada where a meeting was held with members active on the island. Then followed a meeting with the president of the Lefkada Chamber, Mr. Sotiris Skiadaresis, where the possibility of cooperation between the two entities was discussed.
They then visited the Harbor Master of Lefkada, Pilot L.S. Mr. Leontarakis Panagiotis where issues concerning the operation of the port authority and the service of professionals were discussed.
Στην συνέχεια επισκέφθηκαν τον Λιμενάρχη Λευκάδος Πλωτάρχη Λ.Σ. κο Λεονταράκη Παναγιώτη όπου συζητήθηκαν θέματα που αφορούν την λειτουργία του λιμεναρχείου και την εξυπηρέτηση των επαγγελματιών.
Finally, they had a meeting at the City Hall with the Mayor Dr. Xenophon Verginis and the Deputy Mayor of Technical Works Mrs. Sevasti Konstantinidi. The operation and future of the central port of Lefkada, and the creation of new berthing areas were discussed. It was decided to hold a new meeting soon with complete thoughts and proposals.
