UP: Numerous violations in the field of maritime navigation safety identified

Police and Maritime Safety Administration officers have implemented increased preventive and repressive activities over the past two days to improve maritime traffic safety, monitor compliance with regulations and prevent maritime accidents with the most serious consequences, and have identified numerous violations in the field of maritime safety.

The Police Directorate (UP) announced that officers from the Ulcinj Border Police Station, in cooperation with maritime safety inspectors, conducted increased checks on vessels and participants in maritime traffic in the Velika Plaza area and the Bojana River waters on Sunday.

As they said, six vessels were inspected on that occasion, and irregularities in the field of maritime navigation safety were found in four people - two citizens of Montenegro, one Serbian and one Kosovo.

"The violations identified related to operating a jet-powered vessel on the Bojana River contrary to applicable regulations, operating a boat without an appropriate license, and not having a certified or updated crew list," the statement said.

The police stated that the violations also related to operating a scooter while towing a rubber prop with people on it, contrary to regulations governing navigation safety.

"On Saturday and Sunday, officers from the Bar Border Police Station inspected 16 vessels in the waters of Budva, during which irregularities in the field of the Law on Maritime Navigation Safety were detected among citizens of Montenegro and Serbia," the statement said.

It is stated that the violations identified related to transporting passengers without an assistant - a boatmaster, operating a vessel without a valid vignette, not wearing the prescribed life jacket, operating a boat without a certificate of competency as a boatmaster, as well as operating a vessel without a navigation license.

"The competent maritime safety inspectors, i.e. the Port Authority, have been informed of all identified irregularities, and they will take measures within their jurisdiction against the aforementioned persons in accordance with the Maritime Safety Law," the police said.