Patrick Dewhurst
THE CYPRUS Tourism Organisation (CTO) is to evict up to 150 boats from Larnaca marina after investigations revealed dangerously unstable pontoons.
Acting CTO general director Lefkos Phylactides said yesterday: “We have found out through technical studies and onsite inspections that some of the wharfs – where the boats are tied – have problems relating to structural adequacy.”
Phylactides said that given the possible dangers of collapsing wharfs, the CTO had no option but to close off access to the dangerous parts of the marina. Around 150 are thought to be affected, while another 150 are safely berthed.
“The CTO has no option but to close access to the port until we have taken measures to rectify the situation. We are not sure what those measures will be yet, most probably (the dangerous pontoons) will be demolished.”
Asked where the boats that had berthed in the Marina could go, Phylactides said: “We are making arrangements for the users to dry dock their yachts at the marina, and we are looking into various ways of alleviating the cost to owners.”
As of yesterday, however, the boats remained in the Marina, and tonight the boats’ owners have scheduled a meeting to discuss the matter, after which they are expected to approach the CTO.
In the next two to three days, Phylactides said, the CTO would be in a better position to announce concrete measures.
“We are aware that this is upsetting but we have a responsibility to ensure the safety (of the marina’s users.)”
According to Larnaca Marina manager and CTO inspector Christos Petrides the 30 year old port needs an investment of between €500,000 and €600,000 to bring it up to scratch.
The top priority, Petrides said, is to replace the unstable and deteriorated pontoons and with floating pontoons and “fingers” (against which a boat berths).
However, the CTO is unlikely to invest any money or make any refurbishments because of ongoing negotiations with a consortium of private buyers – called the “Zenon” consortium, and which includes among others Louis (22 per cent) Iacovou Brothers (17.5 per cent), Petrolina (17.5 per cent) Bouyques Batiment (17.5 per cent).
According to Phylactides, the CTO and Zenon are in the final stages of an agreement, with a few legal aspects left to consider, and so “It would not be wise for the CTO to engage in any major investment now.”
Last month, Communications and public works minister Efthymios Flourentzos said he was hopeful that the negotiations would be completed by the end of the year.
