Shipping ministry proposes force 5 sailing ban for small boats

Cyprus’s Deputy Ministry of Shipping has released draft regulations proposing a “force 5” sailing ban for small boats in bad weather. The proposal, published Oct. 23 and open for consultation until Nov. 6, would allow police to arrest offenders without a warrant and impose up to two years in prison or a fine up to 8,500 euros. Vessels under 300 gross tonnage would be covered, filling a maritime safety gap that became urgent after rough seas at Cape Greco on Aug. 29 killed Dimis Mavropoulos. Weather thresholds would scale by vessel length and apply only when official forecasts predict both wind and sea conditions.