Blue Flag
Application Form

Blue Flag Tourism Boat

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Click here for more information about the criteria required for Blue Flag status.

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- Step 1 of 14

Information about the applying Tour Operator

Name of Tour Operator

Name of the owner of the Tour Operator

Address of Tour Operator

Municipality/community

Country

Telephone number

Fax number

Website

E-mail

GPS coordinates of the Tour Operator in Decimal Degrees (longitude and latitude)

Name of contact person

Address of contact person

Telephone no. of contact person

Social Media Handles (if applicable)

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Tour Operator in operation since:

Number of employees:

Number of tourists per year (average):

Prices of the offered tours (be exact):

Do you have an office/centre which is open to the public?

Total number of boats in the company:

Total number of boats applying for the Blue Flag:

Boat information

Please include:
1. Names of the boat(s)
2. Size of the boats(s) in meters
3. Passenger capacity per boat
4. Boat type(s)

Please enclose a picture of each boat

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Can any of the boats be categorised as a "small boat"? (alternative criteria apply, see explanatory notes of criterion 1,2,3,11,12,13,30,32)

to each

If yes, which of the boats can be categorised as a "small boat"?

Type(s) of activity(s) offered:

whale watching
recreational diving/snorkeling
bird watching
recreational fishing
cage diving
charter
seal watching
other

Does the activity require the presence of a qualified guide in line with criterion 6?

Do you follow any guidelines/code of conducts for the activity?

own guideline / code of conduct
national guideline / code of conduct
other

If other, please describe:

Operating season (months):

Location where activity takes place (name of the bay, marine protected area, lake etc.):

Short description of the tour operator and the offered tours for the international Blue Flag website (approx. 100 words):

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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION

Information relating to local ecosystems and environmental phenomena must be available to tourists. The tour operator must also provide a map and information about the area of operation and, if applicable, about the protected area they are operating in.

Are the tours conducted in a sensitive natural

If the tours are conducted in a sensitive natural marine/aquatic area/ MPA, please describe it shortly:

If the tours are conducted in a sensitive natural marine/aquatic area/MPA, is information about the area provided for the tourists?

Please describe the information briefly (and enclose a copy/a picture of the information):

Upload here

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If the tours are not conducted in a sensitive natural marine/aquatic area/ MPA, what kind of environmental information or information about local phenomena (including information about valuable cultural sites/communities, topography) do you provide?

Please describe the information offered (and enclose a copy/a picture of the information):

Upload here (copy)

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Do you provide a map of the operating area for the tourists?

How is the map provided?

(Please enclose a copy/a picture of the map)

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A code of conduct for tourists that reflects appropriate rules governing the use of the boat must be displayed. The tour operator must also provide relevant information about the appropriate behaviour in the harbour area.

Is the code of conduct displayed on the boat?

Is the code of conduct displayed in the ticket office?

Is the code of conduct presented by a guide?

Is the code of conduct displayed in other ways?

If yes, please describe in which ways (leaflets, website, etc):

Does the code of conduct include the following information?

the adequate disposal of litter
the smoking policy on board
safety measures (see criterion 30 for further information)
the adequate behaviour during an encounter with wild animals

(Please enclose a copy/a picture of the code of conduct if displayed on the boat(s), in the ticket office or in other visual ways)

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Information about the Blue Flag programme and the Blue Flag for tourism boats must be displayed on the boats and in the boat office.

Is there information about Blue Flag available to the tourists?

In the ticket office?
On the boats?
On the website?

Please confirm that the information includes:

Who is responsible at the local, national and international level:

Length of the Blue Flag season:

Flag will be removed in case of non-compliance:

(Please enclose a copy/a picture of the Blue Flag Information)

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Please confirm the Blue Flag logo is displayed on the boat

Do you require a new Blue Flag sticker for your boat?

If yes, how many?

The boating operator is responsible for offering at least one environmental education activity to the tourists, employees or local community within one operating season. It is also recommended that the tour operator offers environmental education activities during each tour.

How many environmental education activities do you offer?

Please describe each of the planned activities:

ACTIVITY 1:

Name of the activity:

Short description of the activity:

Target group:

tourists
staff
children
local public
students
other target group

If other, please describe

ACTIVITY 2:

Name of the activity:

Short description of the activity:

Target group:

tourists
staff
children
local public
students
other target group

If other, please describe (copy)

ACTIVITY 3:

Name of the activity:

Short description of the activity:

Target group:

tourists
staff
children
local public
students
other target group

If other, please describe

Where is the information about the environmental education activities displayed?

ticket office
website
other

Do you also offer environmental education activities during the tours?

If yes, please give the name of the activity(s) as well as a short description of each

If the boat(s) had the Blue Flag the previous year, please list the activities that were held and a short assessment on the success of these activities (how many people participate, what was the outcome, etc). Try to focus on how these activities could be improved for the future:

ACTIVITY 1:

Name of the activity:

Short description of the activity:

Target group:

tourists
staff
children
local public
students
other target group

If other, please describe:

ACTIVITY 2:

Name of the activity:

Short description of the activity:

Target group:

tourists
staff
children
local public
students
other target group

If other, please describe:

ACTIVITY 3:

Name of the activity:

Short description of the activity:

Target group:

tourists
staff
children
local public
students
other target group

If other, please describe:

All staff must be trained on the environmental undertakings of the operator.

When was the last environmental training for the staff?

Please enclose the agenda of the last training

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When is the next environmental training for the staff?

The staff of the tour operator must receive training on the local environment and/or other environmental and sustainability issues at least once a year.

When was the last environmental training of the staff

Which topic(s) was/were covered?

The local ecosystems: characteristics and threats they are facing
local flora and fauna
local culture
developments in the local community that linked to the activities of the tour operator
sustainable consumption
responsible tourism
environmental management
health and well-being
The United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals
other

The tour operator must provide a qualified guide who is in charge of the safety instructions and the environmental education on board for each tour.

How many guides are currently employed?

How many guides are employed at the peak of the season?

Are all of your guides qualified?

Please enclose a copy of the relevent proof/qualification/written confirmation for all current guides proving that they are qualified.

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Tour operators that transfer tourists to land-based excursions on islands or in remote coastal areas must provide information about the environment at the destination and must inform tourists about their possible impact on the local ecosystems.

Do you offer boat tours to land-based excursions?

If yes, are information about the environment at the destination provided on the boat?

How is the information provided?

(Please enclose a copy/a picture of the information)

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Environmental Management

A management committee should be established, with responsibility for instituting environmental management systems and conducting regular environmental audits of the sustainable boating tourism operator, the buildings of the tour operator and the tours. (GUIDELINE)

Please list the management committee members and their affiliations (e.g.local authority representatives; educational representatives; local or international NGOs; community representatives; special user groups; protected area representatives; representatives of the boating industry, other Blue Flag sustainable boating tourism operators)

Please indicate the activities of the management committee in the past year (if applicable)

Each boating operator must have an environmental policy and an environmental plan. The plan should include references to water management, waste and energy consumption, health and safety issues, and the use of environmentally friendly products wherever possible. All employees must be informed and educated about these issues.

What kind of environmental policy/plan do you have?

The “environmental logbook” system
The environmental management system

If you use the “environmental logbook” system, please complete the sheet in appendix 1 for all boats and buildings (see explanatory notes of the sustainable boating tourism criteria for support)

If you use the environmental management system, have you:

followed an official certification system?
or a parallel environmental management system (see explanatory notes for support)?

Please name if you followed an official certification system

Is the environmental management system enclosed?

Do you have an environmental policy?

Please enclose your environmental policy

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The boating operator must comply with all regulations pertaining to the location and operation of the boats. All buildings must be properly maintained and be in compliance with national legislation

Do you have the necessary permissions to act as a tour operator (please enclose copy)?

Please enclose your environmental policy (copy)

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Do you have the necessary permissions to conduct the respective activity (if applicable, please enclose copy)?

upload

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Do the skippers have a valid license (please enclose copy)?

upload

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Do the boat engineers have a valid licence (if applicable, please enclose copy)

upload (copy)

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Are the boats registered?

Are your buildings well maintained, well integrated and in general compliance with legislation?

Is any large extensions or rebuilding planned during the season?

If yes, please describe:

Hazardous waste generated on the boats and in the buildings must be stored and disposed of responsibly.

What kind of hazardous waste is collected?

paints
solvents
boat scrapings
antifouling agents
batteries
waste oil
other hazardous waters

Are the facilities for receiving hazardous waste:

Kept clean and environmentally safe?
Protected from falling into the water?
Without possible danger for children?
Without possible pollution of the ground under the facility?
Protected from leaking, ignition, explosion, etc.

Is the facility where the collected hazardous waste is disposed of licensed (if applicable for the respective hazardous waste)?

Adequate and well-managed litter bins and/or garbage containers must be in place on the boats and in the buildings of the tour operator. The wastes must be disposed of at a licensed facility that is handled by a licensed contractor. This can be done through the harbour.

Are there enough waste reception facilities on the boats?

Are there enough waste reception facilities in the buildings which are open to the public?

Are the waste reception facilities kept clean and regularly emptied?

Is the facility receiving the collected waste licensed?

Facilities for receiving recyclable waste materials such as bottles, cans, paper, plastic and organic material must be in place on the boat and in the tour operator’s buildings.

What kind of facilities for receiving recyclable waste materials do you have in your buildings and on your boats?

bottles
cans
paper
plastic
organic material
other

If other, please describe:

Please enclose a picture of your recycling facilities

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Is the facility receiving the collected recyclable waste licensed?

Single-use products used in connection with food and beverages must be avoided. If single-use products are used, recyclable products and products made of biodegradable materials must be used.

Are single-use products used on the boats?

If yes, what kinds of single-use products are used and of which material are they made of?

Are the materials recyclable in your country?

Are single-serving packages for food products used? (e.g. milk, sugar)

If yes, please describe:

Is the packaging of the single-serving products recyclable in your country

50% of food and beverages offered to tourists must be or contain local products, organic products, eco-labelled products or fair-trade products. (GUIDELINE)

Do you offer food and/or beverages on your tours

If yes, please provide a list with all food and beverage products indicating whether they are locally sourced, organic, eco-labelled or fair-trade labelled. If you prepare meals on your own, one ingredient counts as one product (enclosure S)

In EU countries, paper towels, facial tissues and toilet paper must be made of non-chlorine bleached paper or awarded with an eco-label. Tour operators operating in non-EU countries are strongly encouraged to follow this criterion.

Are you located in an EU country?

Do your paper towels, facial tissues and toilet papers comply with this criterion?

Please attach a picture of each of the paper products you are using, or attach the purchasing order form that proves that the products comply with this criterion (enclosure T)

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Smoking should be prohibited on the boats. If smoking is allowed on the boats, they must have special facilities for the disposal of cigarette butts.

Is smoking allowed on the boat(s)?

If yes, are there adequate disposal containers available?

If no-smoking is allowed on the boat, does signage indicate this?

If bilge water pumping facilities are available in the harbour, the tour operator should make use of them. Untreated bilge water should never be released into the sea.

Are there bilge water pumping facilities available in the harbour?

If yes, do you make use of them?

If not, do you have an agreement with a neighbouring harbour to use their facilities?

If not, please describe how you handle the bilge water produced on the boats:

Sewage disposal must be controlled and directed to a licensed sewage treatment facility. Untreated water from toilets should never be released into the sea or freshwater bodies, nor close to sensitive areas.

Are the sanitary facilities in your buildings on land linked to a licensed sewage treatment system?

If no, please describe how the generated wastewater alternatively is removed in a safe way:

Do the boats have holding tanks for black and grey water?

Are there toilet tank reception facilities available in the harbour?

If not, please describe how the generated wastewater alternatively is removed and managed in a safe way:

When selecting products such as paints, paint remover, detergents, etc., the tour operator must prefer environmentally friendly versions, where available and effective. Special precautions must be taken when using detergents on the outside sections of the boats.

Do you use environmental friendly detergents to clean the boats and the buildings?

If yes, please describe which environmental friendly equipment/products (e.g. ecolabel, brand) or enclose pictures of the used products:

Are the cleaning products that are used on the tourism boats and that enter the black and/or greywater biodegradable?

If yes, please describe which environmental friendly equipment/products (e.g. ecolabel, brand) or enclose pictures of the used products:

Do you use environmental friendly paint for the boats?

If yes, please describe which environmental friendly paint (e.g. ecolabel, brand) or enclose pictures of the used products:

Is the boat coated with TBT-free biocide?

If not, is the covering/removal of the biocide planned in the next 5 years?

If yes, please also add it to the environmental plan for the respective boat

Repair and painting works on the boats must be limited to specifically designated areas in the harbour or locations where there is no danger that toxic substances might enter the water or the ground.

Are there repairing/construction/painting works done on any of your boats?

If yes, are any functioning collection filters (or equivalent systems) used to catch the hazardous substances?

If yes, are the collected hazardous substances treated as hazardous waste?

If yes, are larger repairing activities taking place indoor or under cover?

The tour operator must provide to employees and tourists only environmentally friendly toiletries. All toiletries on the tourism boats must be biodegradable

Do you provide only environmentally friendly toiletries to employees and tourists in the buildings?

If yes, please describe which environmental friendly products (e.g. ecolabel, brand)

Or enclose pictures of the used products:

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Are activities in the water included in the tour?

If yes, do you provide eco-friendly sunscreen?

Sustainable means of transportation must be promoted whenever advising tourists or visitors as to how to get to the boats or the ticket office.

Is there any sustainable transportation to/from the boat/ticket office?

If yes, please indicate the type of sustainable transportation:

Bus
Bicycles for rent
Group pick up service
Other

If yes, how are information about sustainable transportation provided to tourists/staff? Please

The relevant authorities must be notified immediately regarding accidents that might cause environmental damage.

In case of an accident that might cause environmental damage, which local authorities are contacted?

Speed and engine maintenance must be aimed at maximising energy efficiency and minimising pollution.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Clear Signature

Anchoring restrictions must be respected. If available, mooring buoys must be used to protect the seabed. If no mooring buoys are available, boats must only anchor in insensitive grounds.

Do the boats anchor during the tours?

If yes, please enclose a copy of the anchoring restrictions in the operating area/country (if applicable)

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If yes, are mooring buoys available in the operating area which you make use of?

After the life service of a boat has been reached it must be disposed of in accordance with national regulations.

Have you planned to dispose of any of your boats in the near future?

If yes, how do you plan to dispose it of?

If yes, and if the boat is already out of order, where do you keep the boat until its disposal?

Is the boat inaccessible for the public?

Noise pollution from the boats must be minimised

Do you follow the national and local laws and regulations on noise pollution?

Have you done an assessment of the noise level of all of your tours

If yes, how has the assessment of the noise level been carried out?

Is it necessary to reduce the noise level in certain situations during your tours

If yes, in which situations do you reduce the noise level?

If no, why is it not necessary to reduce the noise level during your tours?

Best environmental practice should also be adopted in the tour operator’s buildings and facilities that are not open to the public. (GUIDELINE)

Do the buildings that are not open to the public also comply with all criteria which refer to the maintenance and equipment of the buildings?

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Safety and services

Adequate and well-signposted lifesaving, first-aid and fire-fighting equipment must be present on the boat. This equipment must be approved by relevant national authorities.

Is there adequate lifesaving equipment on the boat(s)?

What type of lifesaving equipment?

lifebuoys
ladders
boat hooks
rescue boats
other

If other, please specify:

Is the lifesaving equipment easy to find (well-signposted)?

Has the lifesaving equipment been approved by the national lifesaving authorities?

If no, please describe how the equipment alternatively complies with national/international standards:

Are there enough live vests available?

Is there adequate fire-fighting equipment on the boat(s)?

What type of fire-fighting equipment?

fire extinguishers
water hoses
fire carpets
other types of fire-fighting equipment

If other, please specify:

Is the fire-fighting equipment easy to find (well-signposted)

Has the fire-fighting equipment been approved by the national fire-fighting brigade?

If no, please describe how the equipment alternatively complies with national/international standards:

Is there first-aid equipment available on the boat(s)

Is the first-aid equipment easy to find (well-signposted)?

Is the content of the first-aid box intact?

Does the first-aid equipment correspond to the content in Red Cross first-aid boxes?

If no, please describe how the equipment alternatively complies with national/international standards:

Please enclose a picture of the life-saving/fire-fighting/first aid equipment on the boat(s) If you use the same equipment on all boats, one picture of each item is enough

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Emergency plans for different possible kinds of accidents must be produced. The crew must be trained on these emergency plans on a regular basis.

Do you have an emergency plan in case of accidents for each boat?

If yes, please enclose a copy of the emergency plan

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Does the emergency plan cover the following emergency situations?

Man overboard
Fire
Stranding
Leaking

Does the emergency plan include the following elements?

Information about people to contact in case of an accident
Involvement of administration services and people necessary to intervene
Procedures for the protection, rescue or evacuation of people on the boat or in the water
Procedure of public warning and information
First aid

Does the staff have knowledge about the presence and content of the emergency plan?

Does every crew member know which role he or she should take in an emergency situation?

How often does your staff receive emergency training?

When was the last emergency training for the crew?

Safety precautions and information must be presented on the boat.

Does the guide present the safety precautions during the tour?

Does the information include the following:

Information about the location of lifesaving, fire-fighting and first-aid equipment
Details on how to warn other people about an unsafe /man overboard situation and how to help
Information about the location of the sanitary facilities
Information about the location of gathering points in case of an emergency
Advice on how to safely move around on the boat
Guidance regarding the consumption of alcohol on board (if prohibited

Are the general information about safety precautions included in the written code of conduct?

If the tour operator offers alcohol on its boats, it has to be done in a responsible manner.

Do you offer alcohol on your boats during the tours?

If yes, do you have the necessary permissions to offer alcohol?

If yes, are the tourists advised to drink responsibly if they choose to consume alcohol?

Sanitary facilities must be available to the tourists. They must be clean, well-signposted and the access must be safe. Drinking water must be provided on all boats.

Are there adequate and clean sanitary facilities?

On the boats
In the ticket office
Nearby and available to the tourists

Are the sanitary facilities easy accessible?

Is drinking water available on the boats?

Facilities for people with disabilities should be in place. (GUIDELINE)

Do the boats have facilities for people with disabilities?

If yes, which of the following disabled facilities are available:

access to the boat
car parking facilities
sanitary facilities
other access

If other, please describe

If yes, do the access/facilities comply with national/international regulations and standards?

Adequate signage indicating the location of the different facilities must be posted on the boat.

Is there signage for the following facilities on the boat?

Lifesaving equipment
First aid equipment
Emergency gathering points
Emergency exits
Firefighting equipment
Smoking areas / No smoking
Toilets (including toilets for people with disabilities)
Access points (including access points for people with disabilities)
Recycling facilities
Catering facilities

Which of your boats have a map of the facilities on board? Please name them below:

Please enclose a copy/a picture of the map(s)

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Social Responsibility

Discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, origin or religious affiliation should not be accepted within the tour operator. (GUIDELINE)

The tour operator does not discriminate any staff member or tourist because of his or her gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, origin or religious affiliation

The tour operator is in compliance with international and national labour legislation.

All employees receive information in writing (contract) stating the employment conditions, including information about working hours, insurance and salary

All employees are paid at least a living wage, and the salary must not be below the legal minimum salary in the country

The tour operator must adjust the salaries of its employees to their level of experience and responsibility. The gender of the employees must not be relevant to the determination of salaries

All employees receive information about the working code of conduct/policies of the tour operator, and employees also receive information about the procedure for raising concerns/complaints

No person younger than the legal working age is hired

The tour operator should support the local economy by choosing to buy and use local products. (GUIDELINE)

Do you preferably buy and use local products?

If yes, please give examples for the compliance of this criterion

The tour operator actively supports local sustainability activities or initiatives of environmental/social organisations or of other groups in the local community. (GUIDELINE)

Do you support local sustainability activities or initiatives of environmental/social organisations or of other groups in the local community?

If yes, please describe:

Materials, equipment and furniture that are no longer used are collected and donated to charitable organisations. (GUIDELINE)

Do you donate Materials, equipment and furniture that are no longer used to charitable organisations?

If yes, to which charitable organisation do you donate it to?

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Responsible Tourism

Vulnerable and protected areas must be respected.

Is there a protected area/sanctuary in the operation area?

If yes, are there any fees incurred through the use of the protected area/sanctuary?

If yes, how much do you have to pay?

Is there a closing season?

If yes, when is the closing season?

Any wildlife must be approached at a slow speed and in a manner that allows the animal(s) to evaluate the situation. They must not be encircled, trapped or chased.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Special precaution must be taken in the vicinity of breeding animals. Young animals must not be separated from their group.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

When in the direct vicinity of any wildlife, noise must be reduced to a minimum and the engine should be put into neutral whenever appropriate.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

The tour operator is responsible for advising tourists not to touch or collect living wild animals and plants.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Tourists and employees must not feed the animals.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

If there are any signs of disturbance, the boat must increase its distance from the animals.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

The tour operator should be open to cooperation with research institutions. The company’s vessel might function as a research platform, and collected data of wildlife sightings should be made available to researchers. (GUIDELINE)

Do you cooperate with any research institution?

If yes, please describe the cooperation:

Injured, entangled, stranded or dead animals must be reported to the local authorities.

Who is being contacted if an injured stranded or dead animal is spotted?

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Additional criteria for BIRD WATCHING BOATS

Do you offer bird watching?

If yes, which species do you commonly encounter during your tours?

If yes, you have to comply with the following criteria:

Boats must not drive through clusters of birds

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

It is not allowed to use playbacks of bird calls to attract them.

Do you use playbacks to attract birds?

Flash photography should be avoided.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Birds must not be spotlighted with torches or other illuminants

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

It is not allowed to flash birds to get a better view on them.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

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Additional criteria for Cage Diving Boats

Do you offer cage diving?

If yes, which species do you commonly encounter during your tours?

If yes, you have to comply with the following criteria:

The cage used for cage diving must be designed in such a way that it neither poses a danger to the people in the cage nor to the sharks outside the cage. The gaps between the railings must be so narrow that no shark of any size is able to enter the cage.

Please enclose a picture of all cages which are in use.

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It must be secured that the cage is properly attached to the boat.

Please shortly explain how the cage is attached to the boat:

All entry points to the cage must be lockable with a door or portal. The access to the cage must be safe.

Are all entry points to the cage lockable with a door or portal?

Protected species must not be used for baiting.

What kind of bait is used to attract sharks?

Are protected species used to produce bait?

Decoys used for attracting sharks have to be designed in such a way that they do not pose a danger to the animals.

Are decoys used to attract sharks?

If yes, please enclose a picture of the decoy

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In a predation situation, the boat must not cut off the path of the prey. It is not allowed to approach any predation closer than 50m. No more than two boats are allowed to be within 100m of a predation.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

If there is more than one cage diving boat within a radius of 300m of a shark, the boat has to slow down to a speed which should not exceed 10 knots.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

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Additional criteria for Recreational diving boats

Do you offer recreational diving?

If yes, you have to comply with the following criteria:

Only qualified dive masters with a valid certification must be hired to conduct diving tours.

Please enclose written evidence that the dive masters are qualified.

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Prior to the dive, the divers have to be briefed on the dive site and about environmentally friendly diving techniques.

Does the dive master brief the divers on the dive site and about environmentally friendly diving techniques prior to the dive?

All divers must prove their level of experience with a valid diving certification and have to complete the appropriate liability and medical statement documents before going on a dive trip.

Do you check the divers’ level of experience before accepting them for a dive trip?

Do the divers have to fill in a liability and medical statement documents before going on a dive trip?

The size of the diving group must be limited and diver’s level of experience must be considered when choosing the dive site and when forming the diving groups.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Dive sites should be switched on a regular basis to prevent their overuse. Dive operators should choose their diving spots in cooperation with the local authorities and local environmental experts.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Water entry points must not be located above sensitive sea beds.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

The diving equipment has to be fully operative and must be inspected regularly.

Does your staff inspect the diving equipment prior to every dive trip?

A risk assessment has to be conducted for every dive site. Dive masters have to brief the divers on possible risks prior to every dive trip.

Has a risk assessment been carried out for every dive site?

If yes, when? (Year)

If yes, by which body?

If yes, has an appropriate response strategy to the assessment been assured?

If yes, please describe

Are the divers educated about possible risks at the dive spot and about the appropriate behaviour if they encounter a risky situation prior to the dive?

The dive master and the crew on board must be able to administer first aid in case of an emergency. First aid training and refresher courses should be repeated at least once a month.

When was the last first aid training?

Which organisation conducted the first aid training?

Does the staff go through a refresher training every months?

The boat must be equipped with suitable oxygen units and surface signalling devices according to national regulations. The oxygen and signalling equipment must be accessible at any time and the crew on board must be familiar with the use of the equipment.

Are the boats equipped with oxygen first aid equipment?

Do the divers receive surface signalling devices?

If yes, please specify

Diver propulsion vehicles must only be used by divers who carry a respective certification.

Are diver propulsion vehicles offered?

If yes, do your dive masters carry a valid licence for this practice?

If yes, do you check if the divers carry a valid licence for this practice?

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Additional criteria for recreational fishing boats

Do you offer recreational diving?

If yes, you have to comply with the following criteria:

All international and national regulations for recreational fishing practices have to be respected.

Which kind of fishing activity do you offer? Please specify:

Do the activities comply with national and international legislation?

Do you offer fishing equipment to the tourists?

If yes, does the equipment comply with national legislation?

Are recreational fishing licenses required in your country?

If yes, do you check if the tourist carry a respective licence prior to the tour?

Endangered and protected species must not be caught.

Please list commonly caught animals during your tours and indicate their status in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciestm (http://www.iucnredlist.org/search)

No-take zones in marine protected areas and nursery grounds have to be respected.

Are there any no-take zones in your operating area?

If yes, please enclose a map which indicates these zones.

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No more animals than needed for the private use must be caught.

Are you familiar with all relevant catch limits?

Do you provide adequate storage for the transportation of the catch to the tourists?

If yes, please briefly describe:

The choice of bait must not pose a danger to the local ecosystems.

What kind of bait is used for the fishing activity? Please specify:

Caught animals must be handled in a humane way.

Do you use nets to lift the catch out of the water?

If not, why?

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Fishing equipment must not be abandoned at the fishing sites. Defective fishing equipment must be recycled.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Fish waste must be disposed of responsibly.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Artisanal, subsistence and commercial fisheries must be respected.

Are there any other local fishing practices in your operating area exercised for commercial or cultural purposes?

If yes, do you make sure that the activities you offer do not interfere with them?

If yes, please briefly explain how:

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Additional criteria for seal watching boats

Do you offer seal watching?

If yes, which species do you commonly encounter during your tours?

If yes, you have to comply with the following criteria:

Personal watercrafts are not permissible for seal watching.

Do you use personal watercrafts to conduct your tours?

Seals shouldn’t be approached closer than 50m. If a seal voluntarily approaches the boat any closer the engine should be put into neutral until the seal leaves the vicinity of the boat.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

The boat should always approach seals which are in the water from an oblique angle. They shouldn’t approach them directly from the back or the front.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Within a radius of 300m haul-out sites should be approached at a no wake speed.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Flash photography should be avoided in the vicinity of seals.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

It is not allowed to use decoys to attract seals.

Do you use decoys to attract seals?

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Additional criteria for Whale Watching Boats

Do you offer whale watching?

If yes, which species do you commonly encounter during your tours?

If yes, you have to comply with the following criteria:

Personal water crafts are not permissible for whale watching.

Do you use personal watercrafts to conduct your tours?

Cetaceans should be approached from an oblique angle. They should not be approached directly from the back or the front.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Within a radius of 300m of a whale, dolphin or porpoise, whale watching boats should slow to a no-wake speed, which should not exceed 5 knots.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

When approaching cetaceans, the recommended distance to leave between the boat and the individual (s) is 100m. When safe to do so, the engine should be put into neutral during such an encounter. Irrespective of this recommendation, the national legislation concerning the allowed approach distance to cetaceans stands above this recommendation and must be respected. No boat, however, is permitted to approach a cetacean closer than 50m.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

No more than two boats should be present within an observation radius of 300 to 100m. Boat must be in contact with one another via radio to coordinate their movements. Additionally, they should stay on the same side of the animal or group of animals to prevent them from feeling encircled.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

Time spent with one animal or group of animals should be kept to a maximum of 30 minutes per boat, per tour. If more than one boat is within the observation radius (300-100m), this time should be reduced to 15 minutes per boat, per tour.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

In the case of bow-riding dolphins, the whale watching boat should not change its direction or speed abruptly. If the boat has to stop or change its course, speed should be slowed down gradually.

I have read and understood the explanatory notes and ensure the compliance with this criterion

It is not permissible to use sonar to detect cetaceans.

Do you use sonar to attract cetaceans?

If yes, please specify (including frequency):

Environmental logbook sheet

Name of the tour operator:

Name of responsible person:

Year:

Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Activity

Date

Goal & description

Documentation

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Further remarks

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Enclosures (all activities)

Please enclose a copy of other environmental code of conducts that you are following (if applicable)

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Please enclose a picture of each boat

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Please enclose a copy/a picture of the code of conduct (if displayed)

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Please enclose a copy/a picture of the map

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Please enclose copies/pictures of the environmental information which you offer to the tourists

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Please enclose copies/pictures of the displayed Blue Flag information

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Please enclose copies/pictures of the environmental information related to land-based excursions which you offer to the tourists (if applicable)

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Please enclose the agenda of the last environmental training

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Please enclose a copy of the written confirmation for all guides proving that they are qualified

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Please enclose a copy of your permission to function as a tour operator

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Please enclose a copy of your permission(s) to undertake the respective activity(s)

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Please enclose a copy of your captains’ licenses

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Please enclose a copy of your engineers’ licenses

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Please enclose a copy of the environmental management policy/plan, or the environmental logbook for all boats and all buildings that are open for the public, including the past year’s completed goals and goals for the coming year

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Please enclose a copy of the environmental management policy/plan, or the environmental logbook for all buildings that are not open for the public, including the past year’s completed goals and goals for the coming year (if you choose to comply with criterion 22)

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Please enclose a picture of the recycling system that you are using on the boat(s) (If you use the same system on all boats one picture is enough)

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Please enclose a picture of the recycling system that you are using in the public building(s) (If you use the same system in all buildings one picture is enough)

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Please enclose a picture of the lifesaving/fire-fighting/first-aid equipment on the boat(s) (If you use the same equipment on all boats, one picture of each item is enough)

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Please submit a brief description of the emergency plans, including who is responsible for what

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Please enclose a copy of the anchoring restrictions in the operating area/country (if the boats anchor during the tour)

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Please enclose a copy/a picture of the map(s) of the boat(s)

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Please attach a high resolution photo (500KB) of your Boat

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Enclosures (specific activities)

For cage diving

Please enclose a picture of all cages which are in use

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If you use decoys to attract sharks, please enclose a picture of them

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For recreational diving

Please enclose written evidence that the dive masters are qualified

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If diver propulsion vehicles are offered, please enclose written evidence that your dive masters carry a valid license for this practice

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For recreational fishing

Please enclose a map which indicates the no-take zones in your operating area

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Dispensations

Do all of your boats fully comply with the criteria?

If no, please include all boats which do not comply in the environmental plan and give reason for the non-compliance, as well as a plan of action for the respective boats.

Note: sustainable boating tourism operators must aim to make all of their boats comply with the criteria if they do not yet at the time of the application. They must include this aim in the environmental plan required by the Blue Flag criteria and the plan must be validated by the International Jury.

Since we award the whole tour operator, boats that do not fully comply are nevertheless allowed to fly the Blue Flag as well, given that the non-compliances do not pose any danger to the health and safety of the boat passengers, of the staff or to the environment.

All imperative criteria must be complied with in order to obtain the Blue Flag. In the event of discussions arising out of the National Jury processes, or cases in which an applicant has failed to fulfill the imperative criteria, the National Jury can forward a sustainable boating tourism operator to the International Jury as a dispensation case. In the case of an application requiring a dispensation, the National Jury must forward the case to the International Jury with the necessary background documentation and an explanation as to what imperative criteria have not been fulfilled, giving reasons as to why a dispensation is requested.

A tour operator can apply for dispensation when:

facilities are under construction at the time of the application but will be completed by the start of the operating season.
the size and/or design of the boat does not allow for compliance with a criterion.
The activity offered on the boats doesn’t require the presence of a guide.
the waste management in the respective country does not allow for the recycling of different kinds of waste.
the facilities in the harbour where the tour operator is located do not allow for compliance with a criterion.
the tour operator shares the ticket office with other companies/organisations, such that their influence on the environmental management of the building is limited.

The Blue Flag Commitment

This application is to be considered as a contract between the owner of the tour operator and FEE. By signing we confirm that the information given above is correct and that the obligations will be fulfilled. The responsible person at the tour operator undertakes to remove the Blue Flag if an imperative criterion no longer is fulfilled and to inform the national Blue Flag office immediately. We are informed that the National and International Blue Flag Jury as well as the National and the International office reserve the right to refuse or withdraw the Blue Flag where the tour operator is responsible for current violations of national environmental regulations or otherwise act in discord with the objectives and spirit of the International Blue Flag Programme.

Responsibility

By signing this form, the applicant assumes full responsibility – including liability – for the information provided in this form. By signing this form, the applicant assumes full responsibility for acts that are not in compliance with the Criteria and the mission of Blue Flag International, only when these acts have occurred due to its negligence.

Owner of the tour operator:

Date

Signature

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Blue FlagApplication Form

Blue Flag Tourism Boat

Information about the applying Tour Operator

Social Media Handles (if applicable)

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION

Information relating to local ecosystems and environmental phenomena must be available to tourists. The tour operator must also provide a map and information about the area of operation and, if applicable, about the protected area they are operating in.

A code of conduct for tourists that reflects appropriate rules governing the use of the boat must be displayed. The tour operator must also provide relevant information about the appropriate behaviour in the harbour area.

Information about the Blue Flag programme and the Blue Flag for tourism boats must be displayed on the boats and in the boat office.

The boating operator is responsible for offering at least one environmental education activity to the tourists, employees or local community within one operating season. It is also recommended that the tour operator offers environmental education activities during each tour.

ACTIVITY 1:

ACTIVITY 2:

ACTIVITY 3:

If the boat(s) had the Blue Flag the previous year, please list the activities that were held and a short assessment on the success of these activities (how many people participate, what was the outcome, etc). Try to focus on how these activities could be improved for the future:

ACTIVITY 1:

ACTIVITY 2:

ACTIVITY 3:

All staff must be trained on the environmental undertakings of the operator.

The staff of the tour operator must receive training on the local environment and/or other environmental and sustainability issues at least once a year.

The tour operator must provide a qualified guide who is in charge of the safety instructions and the environmental education on board for each tour.

Tour operators that transfer tourists to land-based excursions on islands or in remote coastal areas must provide information about the environment at the destination and must inform tourists about their possible impact on the local ecosystems.

Environmental Management

The boating operator must comply with all regulations pertaining to the location and operation of the boats. All buildings must be properly maintained and be in compliance with national legislation

Hazardous waste generated on the boats and in the buildings must be stored and disposed of responsibly.

Adequate and well-managed litter bins and/or garbage containers must be in place on the boats and in the buildings of the tour operator. The wastes must be disposed of at a licensed facility that is handled by a licensed contractor. This can be done through the harbour.

Facilities for receiving recyclable waste materials such as bottles, cans, paper, plastic and organic material must be in place on the boat and in the tour operator’s buildings.

Single-use products used in connection with food and beverages must be avoided. If single-use products are used, recyclable products and products made of biodegradable materials must be used.

50% of food and beverages offered to tourists must be or contain local products, organic products, eco-labelled products or fair-trade products. (GUIDELINE)

In EU countries, paper towels, facial tissues and toilet paper must be made of non-chlorine bleached paper or awarded with an eco-label. Tour operators operating in non-EU countries are strongly encouraged to follow this criterion.

Smoking should be prohibited on the boats. If smoking is allowed on the boats, they must have special facilities for the disposal of cigarette butts.

If bilge water pumping facilities are available in the harbour, the tour operator should make use of them. Untreated bilge water should never be released into the sea.

Sewage disposal must be controlled and directed to a licensed sewage treatment facility. Untreated water from toilets should never be released into the sea or freshwater bodies, nor close to sensitive areas.

When selecting products such as paints, paint remover, detergents, etc., the tour operator must prefer environmentally friendly versions, where available and effective. Special precautions must be taken when using detergents on the outside sections of the boats.

Repair and painting works on the boats must be limited to specifically designated areas in the harbour or locations where there is no danger that toxic substances might enter the water or the ground.

The tour operator must provide to employees and tourists only environmentally friendly toiletries. All toiletries on the tourism boats must be biodegradable

Sustainable means of transportation must be promoted whenever advising tourists or visitors as to how to get to the boats or the ticket office.

The relevant authorities must be notified immediately regarding accidents that might cause environmental damage.

Speed and engine maintenance must be aimed at maximising energy efficiency and minimising pollution.

Anchoring restrictions must be respected. If available, mooring buoys must be used to protect the seabed. If no mooring buoys are available, boats must only anchor in insensitive grounds.

After the life service of a boat has been reached it must be disposed of in accordance with national regulations.

Noise pollution from the boats must be minimised

Best environmental practice should also be adopted in the tour operator’s buildings and facilities that are not open to the public. (GUIDELINE)

Safety and services

Emergency plans for different possible kinds of accidents must be produced. The crew must be trained on these emergency plans on a regular basis.

Safety precautions and information must be presented on the boat.

If the tour operator offers alcohol on its boats, it has to be done in a responsible manner.

Sanitary facilities must be available to the tourists. They must be clean, well-signposted and the access must be safe. Drinking water must be provided on all boats.

Facilities for people with disabilities should be in place. (GUIDELINE)

Adequate signage indicating the location of the different facilities must be posted on the boat.

Social Responsibility

The tour operator is in compliance with international and national labour legislation.

The tour operator should support the local economy by choosing to buy and use local products. (GUIDELINE)

The tour operator actively supports local sustainability activities or initiatives of environmental/social organisations or of other groups in the local community. (GUIDELINE)

Materials, equipment and furniture that are no longer used are collected and donated to charitable organisations. (GUIDELINE)

Responsible Tourism

Vulnerable and protected areas must be respected.

Any wildlife must be approached at a slow speed and in a manner that allows the animal(s) to evaluate the situation. They must not be encircled, trapped or chased.

Special precaution must be taken in the vicinity of breeding animals. Young animals must not be separated from their group.

When in the direct vicinity of any wildlife, noise must be reduced to a minimum and the engine should be put into neutral whenever appropriate.

The tour operator is responsible for advising tourists not to touch or collect living wild animals and plants.

Tourists and employees must not feed the animals.

If there are any signs of disturbance, the boat must increase its distance from the animals.

The tour operator should be open to cooperation with research institutions. The company’s vessel might function as a research platform, and collected data of wildlife sightings should be made available to researchers. (GUIDELINE)

Injured, entangled, stranded or dead animals must be reported to the local authorities.

Additional criteria for BIRD WATCHING BOATS

If yes, you have to comply with the following criteria:

Boats must not drive through clusters of birds

It is not allowed to use playbacks of bird calls to attract them.

Flash photography should be avoided.

Birds must not be spotlighted with torches or other illuminants

It is not allowed to flash birds to get a better view on them.

Additional criteria for Cage Diving Boats

If yes, you have to comply with the following criteria:

The cage used for cage diving must be designed in such a way that it neither poses a danger to the people in the cage nor to the sharks outside the cage. The gaps between the railings must be so narrow that no shark of any size is able to enter the cage.

It must be secured that the cage is properly attached to the boat.

All entry points to the cage must be lockable with a door or portal. The access to the cage must be safe.

Protected species must not be used for baiting.

Decoys used for attracting sharks have to be designed in such a way that they do not pose a danger to the animals.

In a predation situation, the boat must not cut off the path of the prey. It is not allowed to approach any predation closer than 50m. No more than two boats are allowed to be within 100m of a predation.

If there is more than one cage diving boat within a radius of 300m of a shark, the boat has to slow down to a speed which should not exceed 10 knots.

Additional criteria for Recreational diving boats

Blue Flag
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