Zakynthos Informer Zakynthos Informer
Related Articles
It seems that the Governrnt is determined to have the “Shipwreck” closed to all this year, without even considering the measures that were taken last year to allow visitors the chance to experience the ship up close and swim within the bay area.
It was only three weeks ago that Efthymis Lekkas changed his stance on the exclusion of visitors from the Shipwreck in Zakynthos after the reactions. What he mentioned in his presentation to the Regional Council of the Ionian Islands, sayng in his new statements, that it was wrong to say that the Shipwreck will be closed, as “passengers can be on the ships, bathe and admire the view”.
A 360 degree turn around now and a blow to the Zakynthian community is the decision by the Government not to allow anyone near the “shipwreck” but from a distance only. The publication of the decision was published on the 6th April, 2023.
Here is the “Official” Document published by the Government in their Gazetta in Greek below (click on link)
FEK-2022-Tefxos B-05838-downloaded -08_04_2023
Translation of above document:-
In particular, the decision provides:
a) The prohibition of access and approach to the “Prohibited Zone” and the “Controlled Access Zone”, as they appear in an Appendix accompanying the decision, and mentioned in the Civil Protection Oragnisation’s Risk Assessment in the Zakynthos Wreck Area dated 09.03.2023.
b) the prohibition of access to the top part of the slope and to the plateau (view point) that exists in front of the slope and is bordered by a visitor access road, with a prohibition limit of 10 meters from the edge of the slope.
c) The exceptional approach to the free access zone as shown in the annex, and mentioned in the risk assessment in the Zakynthos Wreck Area of the OASP dated 9.3.2023, which includes the area defined by the ΔΓ points and has as a limit the
wreck of the “Panagiotis” ship, exclusively and only in cases of emergency and assistance.
2. The prohibition of traffic and the approach – anchoring of any floating motorized or non-motorized means, as well as the prohibition of taking a sea bath by bathers in the marine area inside the imaginary line which joins the two (02) ends (north and south) of “Navagio” Cove, Zakynthos. The approach to the said sea area is allowed only in cases of emergency and assistance.
3. The prohibitions of access and approach and the conditions of controlled access herein are valid for the period from the issuance of this notice and until 31.10.2023 for the purpose of protecting visitors during the tourist season.
4. The violators of the present regardless of criminal or civil responsibilities are also subject to administrative sanctions in accordance with article 157 of the n.d. 187/1973 (A’ 261) and whose provisions, in terms of the amount, the type of sanction and the manner of their imposition, are applied accordingly by the personnel of the Hellenic Police.
After many complaints from our local authorities and residents concerning the possible closure, it seemed that most of us living on the Island were reassured that it would be open for our visitors with restrictions, as it has been done in the past. It certainly comes a shock, and a blow to the many small businesses that now our Government has published the notification without very clear standards before the tourist season began.
For now Zakynthos Informer, is advising that the area can be visited but the cove can only be seen from a distance. The platform bridge that hangs over the cliffs and the area up to the flag is off limits for now. We will await more public debate in regards to the “shipwreck” as we are sure that this will be a major concern to our authorities.
source:-
