When the magic of the sea turns into a nightmare... The serious injury of a 48-year-old father and his 7-year-old daughter on August 15 in the sea area of Pernera, brings back to the fore the accidents that occur mainly with floating recreational vehicles and personal boats carrying up to 12 passengers.
The numbers do not allow for complacency in terms of the prevention effort. In the previous 18 years, between the years 2008 and 2025, we lost 16 souls in the Cypriot seas. We had a total of 13 deaths, while three men who were amateur fishing are missing. Almost one loss of human life every year from leisure activities at sea...
>> And injuries that mark lives
In this tragic report of maritime accidents that fall under the jurisdiction of the Marine Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, serious injuries are not taken into account.
After all, the case of Rachel Hadjitofi is well known. The 33-year-old expatriate from the United Kingdom and while she was in Cyprus on vacation, was very seriously injured and was in danger of losing her life from uncontrollable bleeding. The accident had occurred in August 2017, when a speedboat belonging to a Greek Cypriot businessman (sentenced to prison) interfered with the course of the sliding inflatable water game, in which the then 24-year-old was riding. The propeller of the boat caused a tear in the lower part of her torso, marking her life and leading her in a race to get back on her feet.
>> He pretended to be an actor and hit a yacht
In all the accidents we examined in the last 18 years, we found that, according to experts, the human factor dominated. Superficiality or non-compliance with regulations led to the loss of our fellow human beings.
Through careful examination of the data, we found that the experts who examined the causes of such accidents identified errors and omissions by boat operators, superficiality by water sports executives and other negligent acts that cannot be imagined. Patents on high-speed boats, inadequate safety measures, speed, illegalities, exposure of children to danger, and even explosions on boats, compose a scene of constant danger...
In one indicative case, on July 21, 2010, a sea scooter collided with a yacht. And when the investigation was carried out, it was found, as an expert report states, that "the operator pretended to be a visitor in order to rent the boat without holding an operator's license, while the water sports company neglected to ask for the identity of the prospective user of the boat".
The bottom line, however, is that all these jokes that were put before "F" show that the effort to prevent such incidents must be intensified.
>> The legislation and the absence of data for the 10-year period
Investigating the issue recently, but also in the past when we had published details of maritime tragedies (5/3/2023, Fileleftheros), competent persons who spoke to us pointed out legislative gaps. We were characteristically told that it should be made mandatory to have two people as crew on boats towing objects. An expert had clarified to us: "An operator of the boat and an observer of the towed vehicle, with agreed signals of communication with the towed persons."
In our attempt to get answers, we were told that high-speed boats make up 99% of yachts in Cyprus and that they "are required at a speed of 3 knots (about 5 km/h) in a zone of 100 meters from the coastline. Some serious accidents, however, raise the issue of speed limitation in areas used by bathers, means of water entertainment, as well as entrances and exits of ports, harbours and marinas."
Nevertheless, of course, there is no complete legislative "nakedness". It is characteristic, after all, that a report by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping with dozens of accidents that occurred during the previous 10 years and in which violations of existing legislation are recorded. Undoubtedly, the new legislation of 2026, which is currently inactive, will strengthen the existing framework, but this does not mean that there was absolute chaos.
A key finding of our newspaper, when we decided after the serious accident of the Fifteenth of August to put the whole issue under the microscope again, was that there is insufficient published data. There is no documented information about the picture from 2020 onwards.
As we had found out for the 12 years that preceded the current decade, i.e. for the years 2008-2019, there is full information on the website of the Deputy Ministry. In a brief but enlightening report - retired, as we were informed - of a senior ship inspector and person in charge of the Marine Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, all the incidents that were investigated within the specific 12 years were recorded.
In it, there was sufficient information, since all maritime accidents that fell under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping were recorded (maritime accidents with seagoing ships are examined by EDNAS – Committee for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents and Incidents), as well as the findings of the investigation. There was, in fact, enlightenment about the causes of the accidents.
The tactic of this detailed information that helps to enlighten and create the corresponding education, however, seems to be a thing of the past. Last Wednesday, we asked a competent senior official of the Shipping Deputy Ministry by phone for data on the accidents and incidents examined from 2020 to 2025. However, we were told that there is no summary situation. He indicated that there were not a large number of serious accidents between 2020 and 2025.
It should be noted that we attempted to contact a number of people from the Shipping Deputy Ministry last Tuesday and last Wednesday, however, despite the sincere and honourable efforts of secretarial staff to serve us, we found that persons who were able to take a position on the issue were absent on summer leave.
We also referred to the annual reports of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping from 2020 to 2025 (six years). We found that any reports of accidents are general, while the most recent annual reports are characterized by insufficient or no information. It is indicative that in the report for the year 2024, the accidents of 2023 are mentioned. And yet, from the research of "F" it appears that in 2024 there were at least four accidents and/or incidents with small boats. The fire on a pleasure boat in the marina of Ayia Napa (16/6/2024) is characteristic. The report for 2025 does not mention any accidents, although there was a case of a person who fell into the sea and is missing to this day.
11 dead and two missing by the end of the previous 10 years
In a detailed report, published in previous years on the website of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, around 50 incidents that occurred between 2008 and 2019 and which were investigated by the Maritime Accident and Incident Investigation Sector of the Shipping Deputy Ministry are recorded. The data show that in 12 years we had a tragic toll with 11 dead and 2 missing. This long report includes findings and recommendations. As emphasized in the report, "their knowledge could be problematic and contribute to avoiding their repetition". Here are some characteristic points with our own attribution:
Cases 2008
13/7 – A person engaged in underwater fishing was fatally hit by a boat in Akamas.
5/10 – A diver was fatally injured by a speedboat. The Marine Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector had ruled that the operator of the speedboat failed to alert him due to the absence of a diver's warning flag at the northeastern tip of Konnos Bay. In the report of this competent department, six specific points were made.
13/7 – A person engaged in underwater fishing was fatally hit by a boat in Akamas.
5/10 – A diver was fatally injured by a speedboat. The Marine Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector had ruled that the operator of the speedboat failed to alert him due to the absence of a diver's warning flag at the northeastern tip of Konnos Bay. In the report of this competent department, six specific points were made.
Cases 2010
16/3 – A person loses his life in the midst of bad weather outside the port of Paphos. A second person also dies trying to make a rescue. For this incident, the Marine Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector had made recommendations concerning the Air Operations Unit (AEEP) of the Police, the Port and Maritime Police, the Search and Rescue Center, as well as the Port Authorities.
10/4 – A person lost his life when two boats collided in dark conditions. The investigating authority spoke - among other things - of (1) negligence in predicting that boats might move behind a jetty, (2) inadequate observance of acoustic and visual surveillance and safe speed, especially in a port area with expected traffic and lighting (port, boats and city), (3) voluntary change of installation of factory lights and (4) negligence in lighting all lights. Most of the recommendations were to the Department of Merchant Marine (now Deputy Ministry).Cases 2011
21/5 – In sailing competitions, an athlete lost his life after a sudden return of a cane and a fall into the sea. The recommendations were made to the Cyprus Sports Organization and the Department of Merchant Marine and concerned practical safety measures (life jackets, GPS device with "Man at Sea" switch, high-speed safety boat with trained staff to provide first aid).Cases 2012
25/8 – An amateur fisherman with a speargun and appropriate marking died after multiple injuries. One of the wounds resembled a blow from an outboard motor in Paphos.
16/3 – A person loses his life in the midst of bad weather outside the port of Paphos. A second person also dies trying to make a rescue. For this incident, the Marine Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector had made recommendations concerning the Air Operations Unit (AEEP) of the Police, the Port and Maritime Police, the Search and Rescue Center, as well as the Port Authorities.
10/4 – A person lost his life when two boats collided in dark conditions. The investigating authority spoke - among other things - of (1) negligence in predicting that boats might move behind a jetty, (2) inadequate observance of acoustic and visual surveillance and safe speed, especially in a port area with expected traffic and lighting (port, boats and city), (3) voluntary change of installation of factory lights and (4) negligence in lighting all lights. Most of the recommendations were to the Department of Merchant Marine (now Deputy Ministry).Cases 2011
21/5 – In sailing competitions, an athlete lost his life after a sudden return of a cane and a fall into the sea. The recommendations were made to the Cyprus Sports Organization and the Department of Merchant Marine and concerned practical safety measures (life jackets, GPS device with "Man at Sea" switch, high-speed safety boat with trained staff to provide first aid).Cases 2012
25/8 – An amateur fisherman with a speargun and appropriate marking died after multiple injuries. One of the wounds resembled a blow from an outboard motor in Paphos.
Cases 2013
14/1 – An amateur fisherman is missing. His boat was located off the bay of Limassol.
13/10 – A tourist swimmer was fatally injured. He was hit by a public pleasure boat that dragged an object. The accident occurred at a point located within 200 m of land. The death had resulted from blood loss as the deceased had no injuries to vital organs. Only the operator was on board.
14/1 – An amateur fisherman is missing. His boat was located off the bay of Limassol.
13/10 – A tourist swimmer was fatally injured. He was hit by a public pleasure boat that dragged an object. The accident occurred at a point located within 200 m of land. The death had resulted from blood loss as the deceased had no injuries to vital organs. Only the operator was on board.
Cases 2016
25/5 – Fatal injury of a tourist in Protaras, beyond the buoys. He had wounds 20 cm wide on his chest. At the time of the accident, coastal passenger boats passed through the same area.Cases 2017
24/7 – Death and disability from a boat crash into rocks in Akamas. Four other people were injured. Reference is made to "use of a vessel without a registration certificate, use as a passenger without a safety certificate of a coastal passenger ship". Among what is recorded by the Maritime Accident Investigation Sector, it is noted: "To study ways of supporting and serving relatives of foreigners who die as a result of maritime accidents on Cypriot-flagged ships in Cyprus or abroad".
22/9 – An amateur fisherman is missing. His boat was found in the bay of Limassol
25/5 – Fatal injury of a tourist in Protaras, beyond the buoys. He had wounds 20 cm wide on his chest. At the time of the accident, coastal passenger boats passed through the same area.Cases 2017
24/7 – Death and disability from a boat crash into rocks in Akamas. Four other people were injured. Reference is made to "use of a vessel without a registration certificate, use as a passenger without a safety certificate of a coastal passenger ship". Among what is recorded by the Maritime Accident Investigation Sector, it is noted: "To study ways of supporting and serving relatives of foreigners who die as a result of maritime accidents on Cypriot-flagged ships in Cyprus or abroad".
22/9 – An amateur fisherman is missing. His boat was found in the bay of Limassol
Cases 2018
18/7 – Flooding of a speedboat in the area of Xylofagou with a dead person, who was not wearing a life jacket. The expert of the Deputy Ministry refers to a "gap in the training of high-speed boat operators".
Three deaths and one missing person between 2020 and 2025
In the absence of official information on accidents during the six-year period 2020-2025, we searched in publications for accidents related to the use of small boats during this time period. During this time there were three deaths, while one more person is missing.
In summary:
>> 16/8/2020: Stelios (Steven) Archontous, 40 years old, from Sia was in the sea area of Oroklini fishing. He was mortally wounded by the propeller of a speedboat. The boat had been confiscated, while the day after the fatal injury of the 40-year-old, its 44-year-old operator was arrested.
>> 22/8/2020: A 55-year-old European citizen lost his life in the sea area of the Limassol Sailing Club. He was a passenger on a rented jet ski. The 50-year-old operator was arrested for investigation of causing death by negligence. An official of the Shipping Deputy Ministry participated in the investigation, who found violations by the water sports business: the renter's details had not been recorded nor had the required information declaration been completed. The autopsy showed that the 55-year-old died due to drowning. The 50-year-old operator had surrendered to the Police the next day. Questioned about the fact that he disappeared immediately after the incident, he seems to have said that he was shocked and scared, since he himself had fallen into the sea.
>> 1/7/2023: Two private jet skis, operated by the parents of a 6-year-old girl, collided in the sea area of Lady's Mile in Limassol. The child suffered a severe craniocerebral injury and died.
>> 22/4/2025: The 35-year-old Polish tourist, Piotr Mentel, rented an inflatable boat from a water sports business in Latchi and left alone for a sea tour. At about 16:30 the boat was found adrift, in operation and with the key on, about 200 meters from the coast of Argaka, without its operator. The Cyprus Police to this day considers him a missing person.
The accident in Protaras
The accident that brought the issue of safety back into the sphere of public debate occurred on Saturday 15/8 in the sea area of Protaras (Pernera). A 17-year-old Greek Cypriot was driving a jet ski and had an 18-year-old woman as a passenger. The jet ski collided with a towed "sofa" type inflatable, which was being dragged by another motor boat. Five relatives were on board the inflatable: Two men aged 48 and 43 and three children aged 13, 11 and 7. The 48-year-old father of the 7-year-old suffered, among other things, a pelvic fracture and the minor a skull fracture. The first was taken to Nicosia General Hospital, where he is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. His condition was characterized from the first moment as extremely critical. The 7-year-old is being treated in a stable condition at Makarios Hospital.
The investigation by the Police
Information from "F" states that the 18-year-old did not have a pilot's license and this is important in terms of the investigation of the case. Suffice it to say that the 17-year-old who was finally driving the jet ski when the accident happened could legally handle it under certain conditions, that is, only if she had an apprentice pilot's license and only if she was accompanied by a person who has a regular pilot's license.
The case is being investigated by the Famagusta Crime Investigation Department. Last Tuesday, according to information, a ship inspector of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping (Department of Coastal Navigation) had a meeting with investigators of the Famagusta Police Department about the case.
The new legislation and the implementation of it
On the occasion of the accident on the 15th of the month, there was a lot of talk about the new legislation that was passed in February and has not yet been implemented. The reason has to do with article 99 of the legislation, which states that the Law "enters into force on a date determined by a Decision of the Council of Ministers". In addition, according to the same article, "the Council of Ministers may set different dates for the entry into force of different articles of this Law". The provision was put in place to give time to the executive power to prepare the gradual implementation of the legislative framework. Besides, the head of the Directorate of Integrated Marine Ecosystem, Kyriakos Aliouris, in his statements last Tuesday attributed the non-immediate implementation of the legislation to the "new provisions", which, as he said, "have many aspects that need to be processed". In addition, in his statements to "F" and his colleague Natasa Christoforou, Mr. Aliouris said, among other things, about the new Law: "In order to get a license to operate a speedboat, someone will go through an educational program. In other words, schools approved by the Shipping Deputy Ministry should be created, which will have a specific training program, theoretical and practical." At another point, he said: "The existing legislation regulates only speedboats, while the new one regulates all motor yachts."
Marine Casualty Investigation
With the operation of the independent Commission for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents and Incidents (EDNAS – institutionally linked to the Ministry of Transport, although it is considered independent) in 2014, accidents are usually investigated by the Ministry of Transport. EDNAS prepares and publishes a relevant annual report. The Shipping Deputy Ministry and specifically the Maritime Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector mainly investigates accidents that do not fall under the legislation governing EDNA's procedures and these mainly concern:
>> Yachts unless carrying more than 12 passengers
>> Fishing vessels under 15 metres in length
The Maritime Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector (SSD) has been under the Ministry of Shipping since 2018.
18/7 – Flooding of a speedboat in the area of Xylofagou with a dead person, who was not wearing a life jacket. The expert of the Deputy Ministry refers to a "gap in the training of high-speed boat operators".
Three deaths and one missing person between 2020 and 2025
In the absence of official information on accidents during the six-year period 2020-2025, we searched in publications for accidents related to the use of small boats during this time period. During this time there were three deaths, while one more person is missing.
In summary:
>> 16/8/2020: Stelios (Steven) Archontous, 40 years old, from Sia was in the sea area of Oroklini fishing. He was mortally wounded by the propeller of a speedboat. The boat had been confiscated, while the day after the fatal injury of the 40-year-old, its 44-year-old operator was arrested.
>> 22/8/2020: A 55-year-old European citizen lost his life in the sea area of the Limassol Sailing Club. He was a passenger on a rented jet ski. The 50-year-old operator was arrested for investigation of causing death by negligence. An official of the Shipping Deputy Ministry participated in the investigation, who found violations by the water sports business: the renter's details had not been recorded nor had the required information declaration been completed. The autopsy showed that the 55-year-old died due to drowning. The 50-year-old operator had surrendered to the Police the next day. Questioned about the fact that he disappeared immediately after the incident, he seems to have said that he was shocked and scared, since he himself had fallen into the sea.
>> 1/7/2023: Two private jet skis, operated by the parents of a 6-year-old girl, collided in the sea area of Lady's Mile in Limassol. The child suffered a severe craniocerebral injury and died.
>> 22/4/2025: The 35-year-old Polish tourist, Piotr Mentel, rented an inflatable boat from a water sports business in Latchi and left alone for a sea tour. At about 16:30 the boat was found adrift, in operation and with the key on, about 200 meters from the coast of Argaka, without its operator. The Cyprus Police to this day considers him a missing person.
The accident in Protaras
The accident that brought the issue of safety back into the sphere of public debate occurred on Saturday 15/8 in the sea area of Protaras (Pernera). A 17-year-old Greek Cypriot was driving a jet ski and had an 18-year-old woman as a passenger. The jet ski collided with a towed "sofa" type inflatable, which was being dragged by another motor boat. Five relatives were on board the inflatable: Two men aged 48 and 43 and three children aged 13, 11 and 7. The 48-year-old father of the 7-year-old suffered, among other things, a pelvic fracture and the minor a skull fracture. The first was taken to Nicosia General Hospital, where he is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. His condition was characterized from the first moment as extremely critical. The 7-year-old is being treated in a stable condition at Makarios Hospital.
The investigation by the Police
Information from "F" states that the 18-year-old did not have a pilot's license and this is important in terms of the investigation of the case. Suffice it to say that the 17-year-old who was finally driving the jet ski when the accident happened could legally handle it under certain conditions, that is, only if she had an apprentice pilot's license and only if she was accompanied by a person who has a regular pilot's license.
The case is being investigated by the Famagusta Crime Investigation Department. Last Tuesday, according to information, a ship inspector of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping (Department of Coastal Navigation) had a meeting with investigators of the Famagusta Police Department about the case.
The new legislation and the implementation of it
On the occasion of the accident on the 15th of the month, there was a lot of talk about the new legislation that was passed in February and has not yet been implemented. The reason has to do with article 99 of the legislation, which states that the Law "enters into force on a date determined by a Decision of the Council of Ministers". In addition, according to the same article, "the Council of Ministers may set different dates for the entry into force of different articles of this Law". The provision was put in place to give time to the executive power to prepare the gradual implementation of the legislative framework. Besides, the head of the Directorate of Integrated Marine Ecosystem, Kyriakos Aliouris, in his statements last Tuesday attributed the non-immediate implementation of the legislation to the "new provisions", which, as he said, "have many aspects that need to be processed". In addition, in his statements to "F" and his colleague Natasa Christoforou, Mr. Aliouris said, among other things, about the new Law: "In order to get a license to operate a speedboat, someone will go through an educational program. In other words, schools approved by the Shipping Deputy Ministry should be created, which will have a specific training program, theoretical and practical." At another point, he said: "The existing legislation regulates only speedboats, while the new one regulates all motor yachts."
Marine Casualty Investigation
With the operation of the independent Commission for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents and Incidents (EDNAS – institutionally linked to the Ministry of Transport, although it is considered independent) in 2014, accidents are usually investigated by the Ministry of Transport. EDNAS prepares and publishes a relevant annual report. The Shipping Deputy Ministry and specifically the Maritime Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector mainly investigates accidents that do not fall under the legislation governing EDNA's procedures and these mainly concern:
>> Yachts unless carrying more than 12 passengers
>> Fishing vessels under 15 metres in length
The Maritime Casualty and Incident Investigation Sector (SSD) has been under the Ministry of Shipping since 2018.
