site.btaTransport Minister Says Regulatory Gaps Identified after Deadly Parasailing Incident

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov said at the Wednesday government meeting that a parasailing incident in which an eight-year-old child died in Nessebar (on the Black Sea) revealed gaps in the regulatory framework. Earlier, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that he had asked ministers and agencies to propose regulatory changes related to parasailing activities control.

According to Karadjov, when parasailing, parachute jumping, paragliding and similar activities are organized on a commercial basis, there is a lack of clear legal regulation. Therefore, the ministers of economy, sports and tourism, together with three agencies, have been tasked with urgently drafting legal provisions to regulate these activities and submit them to Parliament, the minister explained.

The Maritime Administration Executive Agency had inspected the motorboat that was towing the malfunctioning parachute and found no irregularities, Karadjov said. The vessels’ seaworthiness was checked at the start of the season and a follow-up inspection took place on July 16, when the vessel and its operator were checked for the required documents and qualifications to operate, and no violations were found. 

“The entire water entertainment center was also inspected, and again no violations of the law were found. On July 17, together with the Border Police, inspections were carried out on the channels for the entry and exit of such vessels and the organization of such beach attractions, and no violations were found there either," he added.