INFORMATION ABOUT DIVING IN CROATIA The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications has proclaimed new Regulation on Diving (Official Gazette No.47/99, May 17,1999). This Regulation will govern the conditions for diving for recreation and sport in the internal and territorial waters of the Republic of Croatia. Croatian citizens as well as foreign nationals may perform diving activities only if they hold a valid diver's card. Diver's card will be issued by the Croatian Diving Federation and it will be valid for a year following the issue date. Diver's card will be issued only to persons with adequate qualifications (CMAS, PADI, SSI, NAUI, NASDS, YMCA, MDEA, NASE, IDEA, IANDT, NSS-CDS, AND, TDI, NACI, PSA, PDIC, SDI, FIAS, ACUC, BSAC,VDST, BARACUDA). Temporary diving qualifications are not valid. A fee for the issue of a diver's card in the Republic of Croatia will amount to Kuna 100 (cca. 14,00 Euro). The area at which diving is performed must be visibly marked, an orange or red buoy or a diving flag. A training course will be reported in written to the Croatian Diving Federation and a diving instructor must have a list of course participants authorized by the Croatian Diveing Federation. The maximum approved depth for diving for sport and recreation is 40 meters. Diving is not permitted at the following locations: 1. In the areas of internal sea waters encompassing harbors, accesses to harbors, anchorage and the areas with heavy traffic 2. In strict and special sea reserves, natural parks and other protected sea and undersea areas (Mali Ston Bay, Lima Bay, Tela_æica Natural Park..) 3. Near anchored warships and protected military facilities at the coastal edge at the distance of less than 100 meters. 4. Brijuni, Krka national parks Organized diving: a) National park Kornati: Head office, phone/fax ++385(0) 22 434 662, ++ 385(0) 22 435 058 b) National park Mljet: Head office, phone/ fax ++385(0) 20 744 041, ++385 (0) 20 744 043 2. Diving is permitted only with a previously obtained permit by a competent authority The Ministry of Culture, (phone/fax: ++385 (1) 61 16 849, 61 16 848) in the following areas of the internal sea waters an territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia: 1. VIS ZONE, area bordered with the following coordinates ( encompassing the islands of Vis, Bi_evo, Svetac, Brusnik with all the appertaining reefs and shoals) Appendix no. 1. 2. LASTOVO ZONE, area bordered with the following coordinates ( encom-passing the islands of Su_ac,Kopi_te, Lastovo, groups of islands of Donji _koji and Vrhovnjaci, with all the appertaining reef and shoals) Appendix no. 2. 3. PALAGRUZA ZONE, area bordered with the following coordinates ( en-compassing all the islands of the island group with all the appertaining reefs and shoals) Appendix no. 3. 4. MLJET ZONE, Encompasses the 300 meters wide sea zone from the coast of islands as well as the other small islands and cliffs in the zone 2000 meters from the coast of island. 5. JABUKA ZONE, 300 meters wide sea zone around the island including Jabuka shoal. 6. PREMUDA AREA, Szent Ivan ship wreck, 300 meters wide sea zone around the position of 44 14'88''N and 14 26'26''E. 7. NOVIGRAD AREA, Coriolanus ship wreck, 300 meters wide sea zone around the position 45 19'09''N and 13 25'25''E. 8. SV. IVAN NA PUÈINI AREA, Baron Gautsch ship wreck, 300 meters wide sea area around the position of 44 56'25'N and 13 34'43''E. 9. PELJESAC AREA, S-57 ship wreck, 300 meters wide sea zone around the position of 42 51'20''N and 17 30'00''E. 10. ZIRJE AREA, 300 meters wide sea zone around the position of 43 40'00''N and 15 40'15''E. 11. CAVTAT AREA, 300 meters wide sea zone around the position of 42 35'45''N and 18 12'30''E. Police will supervise diving activities regulated by this Regulation, harbormaster's officers and the diving inspectors appointed by the Ministry of Education and Sport. The inspectors are obligated to inform the nearest harbormaster's office or police station on any irregularity observed. For any offence a person responsible in the legal entity will be fined in the amount from Kuna 3000 - 15 000, a natural person will be fined in the amount of Kuna 1 000 - 5 000, A natural person will be find in the amount of Kuna 500 for maritime offences at the location of the offence. Rescue Team: phone: 9155 (DAN), VHF channels 16, 10, 74 Barochamber Pula: phone/fax: ++385 ( 0) 52 217 877, 24 572, 098/ 255 945, 098/ 219 225 Barochamber Split: IPM HRM phone ++385 (0) 21 354 511 Barochamber Split - phone/fax ++385 (0) 21 361 355, 343 980