Attacks on ships, drifting mines and drones in the western Black Sea are now directly affecting shipping to and from Bulgarian ports, the board of the Bulgarian Ship Masters Association (BAMK) has warned. The captains want the state to act urgently and in a coordinated way in six areas.
The declaration is addressed to the president, the speaker of parliament, the prime minister and the ministers of defence, transport, foreign affairs and the environment. It follows more frequent attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, including attacks on merchant ships, drifting mines and frequent use of unmanned systems.
The captains say the danger to the lives and health of crews is real. The association says risks are building up for Bulgaria's ports, its maritime economy, supply chains, ties with other countries and environmental safety.
BAMK wants round-the-clock monitoring and sharing of operational information between the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the Navy, the Border Police, the Maritime Administration Executive Agency and the state-owned Port Infrastructure company. The captains call for more mine-clearing operations, including under the MCM Black Sea operation, to make the approaches to Varna and Burgas safe. Shipowners should get up-to-date guidance on risk zones, and the state should step up its presence and control in the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone.
The association also wants diplomatic action through the EU, NATO, the International Maritime Organization and the UN, so that those responsible for attacks on merchant ships are held to account.
The captains urge the state to update the national assessment of environmental risk from an incident involving a tanker or a ship carrying dangerous cargo as a matter of urgency. They say the available oil booms and skimmers should be checked and, if needed, help from the European Maritime Safety Agency should be called in on time.
The demands also include a practical run-through of the national rules for search and rescue and for medical evacuation, as well as joint drills by several agencies. Bulgarian seafarers and their families should have clear legal and consular support if they end up in a conflict zone.
BAMK proposes setting up, or getting going, a permanent forum for sharing information and expert assessments on the safety of merchant ships in the Black Sea. State institutions, professional maritime organisations and industry representatives would take part.
The association says the safety of people at sea and the protection of merchant shipping should be among the state's most urgent tasks. The captains say timely prevention, reliable information, real readiness and coordination between institutions are needed to limit the risk and keep trust in Bulgarian ports and maritime transport corridors.
"We call on the competent state authorities to take concrete action in the areas listed above and to provide a lasting mechanism for working with the professional maritime community," the declaration says.
BAMK is ready to offer deep-sea captains, navigation experts and specialists with practical experience for advisory councils, working groups, risk analyses and the drafting of safety rules at sea.