THE KYRENIA CHRYSOCAVA CULTURAL FOUNDATION

THE HIGH SPEED SMALL VESSEL LAW AND REGULATIONS

The high-speed small vessels law 56(I)1992

A brief outline of the Regulations (121/99)

9/8/1999

THESE REGULATIONS APPLY TO ALL HIGH SPEED CRAFT = Engine powered Vessels capable of navigating at a speed of at least 15 knots and which have a Length Over All (LOA) not greater than 15 meters.

REGULATIONS

Part 1. Covers the terminology used by the law. (Jet ski, etc).

Part 2. Categories of High speed craft. There are Two categories: class (A) for private use, class (B) For rental. (For Tourist purposes class “B” ).

The requirements regarding the construction and equipment of High Speed Craft (HSC), must comply with the provisions of the Law in force. This will be adjusted according to European Union Directive for High-speed craft.

Any HSC below 6 metres must be unsinkable – contain buoyancy compartments.

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Safety Equipment and provisions:

The engine: The size and horsepower of the engine should be within the limits prescribed by the vessel’s manufacturer.

Life jackets: HSC must include lifejackets (keeping mouth+nose of unconscious person out of water, or give at least 10 kgs buoyancy) or buoyancy aids(assisting survival of conscious person swimming in the water) at a number equal to the number of persons allowed to be carried PLUS one. HSC above 6 metres must in addition have a life saving ring and rope attachment.

Anchor: HSC must have at least one anchor suitable for her size. (except small i.e. jet-skis)

Oars: Two oars with all the necessary paraphernalia, or paddles as necessary.

Bucket: One bucket (baler) with rope attachment with a length twice the freeboard.

Fire Extinguisher: Fire extinguisher (foam or heavier in windy environment) at least two kilos which must be valid at all times.

Light: Must carry a waterproof torch. With reserve batteries and lamp.

First Aid Box: with necessary medical paraphernalia.

Signals: 2 orange colour smoke signals and two red parachute flares. Smaller vessels are excempted (6 metres without deck) (except small, i.e. jetskis).

Sound signals: Air horn or other for HSC above 6 metres.

Navigation Lights: According to the International Regulations for the prevention of Collision at sea (colregs 1972 and 1980,1989).

Compass: For boats Above 6 metres.

Water Flooding: An emergency hand operated water pump for HSC above 6 metres.

VHF Communications: A 25-Watts VHF Marine radio for above 6 metres and 3 watts for smaller (the smaller must be floating and waterproof ).

Equipment Unsuitable for jet-skis and very small HSC are excempted (a list is given).

Smoke emission: Engine operation and subsequent smoke emission is prohibited if this is above the prescribed rate by the engine manufacturer or if this is causing conspicuous problems to human beings (difficulties in breathing, vision, smell) and the environment. [Back to Top]

Maximum Carrying capacity:

Maximum Length Over All (LOA) of vessel (in metres)	Maximum number of crew or passengers.
3	2
3.7	3
4	4
6	6
8	7
10	8
15	12

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HSC Marks. All HSC must carry a very clear registration number on their hull (Details and measurements are given by the regs). (20 cm height each figure or 5cm for small vessels like jet-skis) .

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Inspection: Class "A" HSC (private use) will be inspected once every 5 years by the Dept of Merchant Shipping, class B (public use) will be inspected every year. If the inspection brings a positive result then a license to navigate is issued for the HSC (this is a sticker which MUST be exhibited on a very conspicuous surface on the vessel so it may easily be inspected by the Marine Police) . If not then the HSC will not be allowed to be used.

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Part 3.

License: HSC operator license. Must have one at all times when using an HSC.

Persons above 17 may have a learner’s license, Above 18 may have a normal HSC operators license.

Issuing Authority: The department of merchant shipping in Limassol will be issuing these HSC operators licenses to all Cypriots which will pass the examinations. (TEL:05-848100)

The examiners will be selected by the responsible authority which is the Ministry of Communications and works and will be scrutinized by the Department of Merchant Shipping. Lessons and examiners will be carried out by the approved Nautical Clubs of Cyprus which are under the Cyprus Sports Organization.

The cost for each person examined will be £35.

The KYRENIA NAUTICAL CLUB has been the only Club which has been working for the creation of this law for the last 10 years (since 1986-1987) with the late Admiral Alexios Moschonas of the Ports Authority of the Republic of Greece, and it was amongst the first Nautical Institutions in Cyprus to receive permission to examine applicants for the high speed craft operators license.

Each candidate must have a health certificate as prescribed by the regulations not older than 6 months.

Practical boat handling skill examination: ability to control speed and direction of the HSC. Also must have the ability and knowledge to: prepare/start the engine, cast away and berth or anchor, maneuvers anchoring, stopping the engine, rowing, swimming., Know how the engine operates cooling, lubrication, fuelling electrics, troubleshooting,Firefighting, flooding, emergencies, M.O.B (man over board retrieval) knots marlinespike and seamanship .

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Theoretical knowledge to be examined: Lights and Navigational aids, Colregs, meteorology, lifesaving man-over-board, basic first aid related Cyprus Legislature.

NONE CYPRIOTS (TOURISTS) : If they do not have an equivalent license from their country, making them eligible to operate an HSC then, if they wish to use a HSC they may do so only if they accept to receive a very brief practical instruction (10-15 minutes) by the Operator/Owner of the vessel. Each tourist wishing to rent a HSC will be issued a TEMPORARY operators license (for 15 –30 days only) provided they sign a lengthy declaration (two pages ) making sure that the most important issues and the very basic knowledge has been received and being comprehended. Class "B" vessels are rented under the strict supervision of the owner and their navigational activity should remain at all times within line of sight of the owner.

Part 4. Objects under tow. : Sea surface objects, flying objects.

Towing a person of less than 12 yrs old on a flying towed object, alone, is prohibited unless accompanied by a person older than 18 yrs old.

Flying at a distance less than 300 metres from any land or other object or any sea area of depth of water less than 2 meters is strictly prohibited

Using Flying objects in bad conditions or not in exact compliance to manufacturers specs is prohibited,. The end of the towing line must be securely attached to the vessel.

The total length of the line must not exceed 100 meters when towing flying objects. Must not be used with wind speed above 16 knots and before or after daylight. A second person is required to monitor the towage.

THE REGULATIONS IN GENERAL PUT A VERY HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY ON THE OPERATOR OF THE HSC OWNERS OR BUSINESS. Similar lengthy detailed regulations exist for the towage of skiers. The towing rope must not exceed 50 metres. Skiing is prohibited at a distance closer than 200 metres to ANY beach . In sea areas marked by red buoys which are called or known as "swimmers protection areas" the skier and the vessel towing must have a distance NOT LESS than 100 metres from the buoys of the swimmers protected areas (skiing less than 100 metres from the orange-red buoys is strictly prohibited).

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NO HSC vessel is allowed to navigate at a speed higher than three (3) knots (3 knots is the swimming speed of a good swimmer, free style, without swimming fins) at a distance equal or less than one hundred meters (100m) to the nearest land (AT ANY BEACH) (protected or not)

. HSC or any other floating hull (it includes even canoes,pedaloes,windsurfers etc) are strictly prohibited from entering declared “swimmers protected areas” (from June to 30^th of October from 07:30 to 20:30) which are marked by orange-red colour buoys,

In such areas HSC have to keep a distance of 100 metres from the buoys. (usually the offshore line of orange colour buoys are anchored at a distance of 100 to 200 meters from the beach, so the HSC will have to navigate 200- 300 meters from the beach.)

Jet skis in particular are only allowed to operate between 10.00 –13.000 and 16.00-19.00 at a distance of NO LESS THAN 100 METRES FROM THE RED BUOYS OF THE SWIMMERS AREAS. Jet ski operators wishing to operate outside this time limit may do so ONLY IF THEY OPERATE AT A DISTANCE NO LESS THAN 500 METRES FROM THE BEACH.

IT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED to any HSC to move inside boat corridors which are sign posted and marked by two perpendicular to the beach , buoy-lines , at a speed greater than 3 knots.

It is prohibited for a HSC to create noise which is greater than 74dB(A) measured at a distance of 17 metres from the engine at maximum revs. Wave jumping should be avoided.

Class "A" Vessels are obliged to inform the Marine Police the port, marina or fishing Shelter Authorities if they are planning a trip with duration more than 2 hours, giving details of their sailing plan (Departure, Arrival, route, persons on board).

Please always wear your lifejacket or buoyancy aid. It is not enough to have it on board. Should the Marine Police sees you without a buoyancy aid or a life jacket you will be fined on the spot for £100 or £200

The Penalties for infringing any of the above regulations are heavy. £2.000 or/and 2 years in prison.

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In addition to the above we advice the following:

1. If you are a Guest in Cyprus (tourist) Ask at the hotel reception and find out where is the nearest official swimmers protected area which is covered by a lifeguard unit. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO USE ONLY THOSE AREAS FROM 10:00 TO 17:00 (as life guards work during this very limited time period).

2. LIFEGUARD WARNING FLAGS = ALL FLAGS ARE SQUARE SHAPE.

FLAG 1= RED HORIZONTAL STRIPE ON TOP OF YELLOW HORIZONTAL STRIPE= You must look for TWO(2) flags on the beach. These are marking the boundaries of the covered by lifeguard beachfront . Please have in mind that a lifeguard under normal conditions is expected to operate satisfactorily at a range of no more than 100 yards (say approximately 100 metres) from the observation position. So it is highly recommended to swim within this range. These two flags mentioned above should be hoisted upon commencement of duty and should be lowered in the afternoon at the end of duty.

FLAG 2= GREEN = the Sea is safe to swim.

FLAG 3= YELLOW= Be cautious and careful as the wind speed is rising. Swim with caution .

FLAG 4= RED= Very Dangerous, immediately come out. Do not swim.

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VERY IMPORTANT !!! ALWAYS AVOID SWIMMING AT A DISTANCE OF LESS THAN 30-40 METRES FROM THE EXTREMETIES OF COASTAL MAN MADE STRUCTURES, LIKE THE PERPENDICULAR OR PARALLEL TO THE BEACH , STONE MADE BREAK WATERS AS THERE IS USUALLY A STRONG EDDY-FORM CURRENT AT THESE ENDS. (if you are carried away please do not panic, just stop struggling, swim calmly on the surface, the current will normally take you out at sea for 50-60 meters and then will bring you back further down on the beach - Do not try to fight back.).