site.btaMaritime Administration to Oversee Safety of Recreational Activity Equipment

Under new rules, the Maritime Administration will monitor equipment used for water recreational activities, said Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov during an inspection of construction works on the Kostenets–Septemvri railway line. He spoke in the aftermath of a parasailing incident, where a child died after his parachute harness failed.

Subsequent checks established gaps in equipment safety oversight.

Regarding parasailing, the current regulation covers only the vessel, the Minister said. He added that the boat towing the parachute in Nessebar had been inspected twice and was found to be seaworthy. “We are also checking the captain’s license — and it is in order,” Karadjov said.

“The problem came from the lack of oversight of the equipment - the harness, buckles, ropes, etc.,” he said, adding that specific standards will now be introduced for such equipment to ensure safety.

“In Greece, there are standards for parasailing, and their Maritime Administration takes care of everything — they inspect the harnesses and buckles,” said Karadjov. “Under the new rules, the Maritime Administration will discharge the same responsibilities,” he added.

Karadjov also stated that specific requirements will be introduced for other high-risk activities, defining the standards the equipment must meet and who is responsible for inspections. “According to Bulgarian legislation, this can also be done by companies accredited to perform such work,” he explained, emphasizing that this would not be an additional burden for businesses.

“We’re not talking about new regulations on how to do business,” he clarified, “but about defining the minimum safety standards that must be ensured for commercial recreational activities.”