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At a council meeting held late in the week, in regards to lifting the ban ordered by the Port Authorities from the area of “shipwreck cove” or Navagio, representatives of the local authorities, members for the Region, Municipality, National Marine Park, the Chamber of Commerce, as well as residents, owners of touring boats and rental boats heard the proposals of the conditions that will be undertaken to reopen the beach area to visitors. Under the invitation of the Harbour Master of Zakynthos, Athanasios Siouti, the discussion of approaching and anchoring boats and for swimming in the bay of “shipwreck cove” Navagio took place within the council chambers. Residents and business owners have been pushing for a quick solution to the problem that occurred due to the landslides which were caused last year.
Due to safety issues the bay has been off limits since the slides and now that the tourist season has started the issue of lifting the ban has become a hot issue.
As the council have decided that after the studies that have been completed, they found that the area is safe enough for visitation for up to a thousand people but under certain restrictions. The restrictions whilst staying on the beach have already been made public and bars have gone up on the beach to make sure that these restrictions will be in place. It is now a matter of working out what times people can approach and the length of time allowed whilst in the area. Then the necessary documentation will be sent to the Port Authorities for them to present the decision in the National Gazette.
What came of the meeting is the below decisions:-
In particular, it is foreseen to approach and stay the vessels as follows:
(a) Category 1: passenger and tour boats with a capacity of 200 or more.
Stay within the 25-meter pass way on the left of incoming boats of the Border side as defined by the Municipality of Zakynthos as follows:
From 10:30 to 12:00 one passenger or tour vessel with a capacity of more than 200 people
From 12:00 to 13:00, two passenger or tour vessels with a capacity of more than 200 people
From 13:00 to 14:00 one passenger or tour vessel with the capacity of more than 200 people
From 14:00 to 15:00 one passenger or tour vessel with the capacity of more than 200 people
(b) Category 2: Passenger or Tour vessels with a capacity of 100 to 200 persons
Stay within the 25-meter pass way on the left of incoming boats of the Border side as defined by the Municipality of Zakynthos as follows:
From 09:00 to 12:00, three passenger or tour vessels with a capacity from 100 to 200 people
From 14:00 to 17:00 three passenger or tour vessels with a capacity from 100 to 200 people
(c) Category 3: Passenger or Tour vessels of up to one hundred (100) persons.
Stay within the 25-meter pass way on the left of incoming boats of the Border side as defined by the Municipality of Zakynthos as follows:
Simultaneous stay of up to five passenger or tour vessels up to one hundred (100) people. The above vessels will remain at the Shipwreck and will not depart until the passengers have already stepped on the beach area in order to ensure their safe removal if required due to an emergency.
In the same marine area private boats / yachts and leisure crafts / yachts will be allowed according to article (38 ΓΚΛ). It should be noted that no more than five (05) boats are prohibited in the above area at one time.
The plans are expected to be presented soon and officially announced in the Government’s Gazette, once that is done, then people can start visiting the beach, however it will not be the way it once was when it comes to anchoring and setting foot on the now famous beach, the above restrictions have made sure that all are able to visit the area with their safety not becoming a risk and in a way that businesses are also able to still work within a safe environment, thus benefiting all.
