Crete is getting closer to the goal of creating an extensive network of watercourses
With two important steps, the project to create a sustainable network of watercourses in Crete is progressing, a case that has been pending for decades.
Specifically, the following were decided:
1) On December 29, 2022, the Technical File for the Establishment Permit of the Agia Galini Rethymno Watercourse was submitted to the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport, receiving No. Prot.: 414887. The Establishment License will be issued in the name of the “Municipal Port Fund of Rethymno”.
The Technical File, prepared by the “Hellenic Waterways” includes, in accordance with the provisions of Law 4663/20, the Manual of the Agia Galini Waterway, the maps of the Army Geographical Service and the Hydrographic Service with the locations of the sea lanes, the seaplane docking point , the Topographic plans and Floor Plans of the Watercourse as well as a series of supporting and legalizing documents of the License applicant.
“D.LT.Rethymno” chose as the contractor for the issuance of the License the company “Hellenic Waterways” which has completed the licensing of the first three Waterways in Greece (Corfu, Paxos, Patras) and subsequently the Establishment Licenses of the Waterways Rethymnon and Ios.
The president of the Municipal Port Fund of Rethymno, Mrs. Irini Koutsaledaki, referring to the submission of the Technical File of the Agia Galini Watercourse, stated: “It is optimistic that the Technical File received a protocol number at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for the issuance of a license to establish a Watercourse in Agia Galini, including the its environmental licensing. It is the first to be done in South Crete and we are interested in the progress and evolution of the licensing as a whole in order to operate the Waterway. The administration and service of D.LT.T. of Rethymno, but also its external partners, we are ensuring the fastest success of such a goal so that the Waterway can operate in a port of the South and not only in Rethymno. The alternative proposal of operating a network of waterways in the tourism sector is very important for the interconnection of the ports because a network of destinations is created and developed, particularly encouraging for the development of our country”.
2) The “Port Fund of the Prefecture of Chania” took the important initiative to create a Water Field in the port of Kissamos, Chania. For this purpose, it completed a relevant tender process, choosing “Hellenic Waterways” as the contractor for the approval of the Water Area in question. The company has proven experience in the field of Water Fields having completed the approval of the first nationwide Water Field in Kassandra Halkidiki, and subsequently in Porto Heli, Ermioni and Lavrio.
According to the current legislation, up to six pairs of flights per day per seaplane airline are allowed in each approved Water Area. In addition to the six pairs of flights, airlift, general aviation, firefighting and search & rescue flights are permitted.
Crete, with the addition of the two aforementioned steps, comes closer to the goal of creating an extensive network of Water Races. The Establishment license of the Rethymnon Aquatic Center has already been issued, while the Ierapetra Aquatic Center is in the final stage, and the licensing procedures follow in: Hersonissos, Chania, Heraklion, Sitia, Malevizi, Kokkino Pyrgo Phaistos, as well as Aquatic Fields in: Plakia and in a series of seaside hotels of Crete.
The President of the “Municipal Port Fund of Ierapetra”, Mr. Giorgos Aspradakis, referring to the matter, stated: “The Ierapetra Municipal Port Fund, believing very much in this transport project, is making every effort to operate the Waterway in the port of Ierapetra. The preparation and submission of the Technical File to the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport has already progressed and we are at the final stage for the completion of the checks of the competent services for the licensing of the Ierapetra Watercourse. The benefits from the operation of seaplanes will be multiple for the development of quality Tourism and consequently the local Economy and Society of Ierapetra”.
Based on the above, it becomes clear that Crete, once the creation of the Waterways network is completed, will be one of the leading markets for the operation of seaplanes in Greece. In this context, the company “GRECIAN AIR SEAPLANES”, which is in the process of obtaining a Community Air Carrier Certificate (AOC) for seaplane flights, has included Crete in the network of destinations it will serve, planning to connect it with the islands of the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and its regions Peloponnese where waterways will be created.
For his part, the president of the “Hellenic Waterways” company, Mr. Tasos Govas, emphasized: “The imminent operation of the Waterways and the activation of seaplanes in Crete will be a useful tool for the further development of its quality Tourism.
»The flexibility and speed of the Seaplane will allow tourists to make excursions, in a unique way, both to places within Crete and to nearby islands, increasing their choice of destinations. Special mention should be made of the Seaplane synergies with the cruise. The seaplanes, during the time period of the stay of cruise ships in the ports of Crete, will be able to carry out sightseeing flights, providing their passengers with a unique way to see and keep in their memory the sights of their holidays”.
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