One local Brave gentleman speaks ouot about Safety at SEA in Gibraltar

One local Brave gentleman speaks ouot about Safety at SEA in Gibraltar

A very brave and well know local man speaks out for his safety and ours as a people! We hope that those in the RGP, FCO and our Governor and Chief Minister hear this man's plea not only for justice for all but to start putting more actions with the words!

The law is for all and as such everyone has to obey and respect our law and our law enforcement agencies.

What we need is for more people to speak out for what is blatantly wrong.

Gibraltar does have British Territorial Waters so let us send hte message out there!

Below as reported by Panorama - http://www.panorama.gi/

While the Royal Navy and RGP look idly on - 'I FEARED FOR MY LIFE,' - as Spanish boats harassed local boats in 'wild west' show at sea

PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR: Kaelan Victor Joyce was out at sea off the Little Bay coast line, about 100 metres from the shore and near the entrance of Europa Point."My boat was nearly hit by a high-powered rib, which came so close to my vessel that it even got tangled up with my fishing lines. It then swerved dangerously and sped off taking one of my rods with it in the process," he told PANORAMA. And added: On Tuesday during the Virgin Del Carmen festival I watched on in utter disbelief as Spanish leisure boats taunted and toyed with Royal Gibraltar Police Vessels (or so it seemed). They also harassed local boat anglers by repeatedly going past them at alarming speeds. I for one feared for my life. He added: On one occasion at around 2200hrs whilst drifting off the Little Bay coast line, about 100 metres from the shore and near the entrance of Europa point, my boat was nearly hit by a high powered rib, which came so close to my vessel that it even got tangled up with my fishing lines. It then swerved dangerously and sped off taking one of my rods with it in the process, this all happened so fast I had little time to react. POLICE NOT UPHOLDING OUR LAWS "I now find myself wondering, what is the point of the new marine protection legislation if our police forces are clearly not in a position to uphold our laws? "Furthermore when will the Royal Gibraltar Police do something about the commercial netting, constant incursions at sea and general lawlessness of our seas? "Are we really in a position to implement new legislation when we cannot even police our seas properly? The words “wild west” do come to mind." And he went on to say that the Royal Navy do not seem to be very concerned about our marine life or the welfare of our people. This, he says, I can understand and even live with, but... • WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND is the RGP refusing to arrest Spanish Commercial boats netting in our waters when not accompanied by the Guardia Civil (even inside the demarcated buoys). • WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND is having Spanish leisure boats take the mickey out of our police force in broad daylight. • WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND is having the RGP spend millions of the tax payers' hard earned monies in boats, jet skis and other water powered vehicles whilst at the same time choosing to selectively applying our laws at sea. He went on: "I for one have had enough. I could have been seriously injured on Tuesday or even killed. What are the RGP and the Foreign Office waiting for? Do they really want a serious incident to occur before they finally decide to take action? EVEN SHOT AT "Locals are being blatantly harassed and even shot at by Spanish paramilitary forces in British territorial waters yet nothing is being done and now even Spanish leisure boats are doing their bit to antagonise Gibraltarian citizens. At this rate something bad will happen soon and we will only have ourselves to blame." He added a footnote: Just wanted to make it clear to all those people who have told me that I should not have been ‘out there’ (at sea) during the Virgin Del Carmen festival that these are OUR Waters and no Spanish festival will ever dictate my actions. I will not bend over for our ever hostile neighbours, not now, not ever! My life does not revolve around them sorry. 18-07-13

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So let us stop fearing and in fact start standing up for what is ours to enjoy - OUR SEA! 

Now maybe we should take the Spanish example as below
 English Translation---------

Where the Spanish Navy - Intercept a catamaran for diving in booking fishing Alboran Island

The catamaran, named 'Juanjo' and licensed in Gibraltar and Spanish nationality five people aboard.
Europa Press

The Navy and Marine Fisheries Secretariat have collaborated on an operation to intercept and remove to a catamaran that was found anchored and doing underwater activities in the Fisheries Reserve Alboran Island.

The patrol boat Marine Reserve Alboran Island 'Cliffs of Famara' discovered the 15th to the catamaran, named 'Juanjo' and licensed in Gibraltar and Spanish nationality five people aboard. Once detected, the boat began remoteness of the area, but was intercepted by the Navy personnel highlighted in the Alboran Island with the support of the 'Cliffs of Famara'.

In its inspection found that the ship had to make scuba diving equipment and a hyperbaric chamber. Since that time, the boat was retained in the Alboran Island for making underwater activities within the reserve without permission Fisheries and pattern have not the necessary qualifications for management.

On the morning of Thursday, the Navy has sent to patrol 'jacket' to the island to accompany the catamaran to the port of Almeria, where it will be transferred to the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard.

The actions have been coordinated with the General Secretariat of Maritime Fisheries, which is due to the presence of a fisheries inspector's arrival at the port of Almeríaa catamaran from 15.00 hours

http://www.lavozdealmeria.es/vernoticia.asp?IdNoticia=45395&IdSeccion=2
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Interceptan un catamarán por hacer submarinismo en la reserva de pesca de la Isla de Alborán

El catamarán, de nombre ´Juanjo´ y con licencia de Gibraltar y cinco personas de nacionalidad española a bordo.
        Europa Press                

La Armada y la Secretaría de Pesca Marítima han colaborado en una operación para interceptar y trasladar a un catamarán que fue localizado fondeado y realizando actividades subacuáticas en la Reserva de Pesca de la Isla de Alborán.

La embarcación de vigilancia de la Reserva Marina de la Isla de Alborán ´Riscos de Famara´ descubrió el día 15 al catamarán, de nombre ´Juanjo´ y con licencia de Gibraltar y cinco personas de nacionalidad española a bordo. Una vez detectada, la embarcación inició el alejamiento de la zona, pero fue interceptada por el personal de la Armada destacada en la Isla de Alborán con el apoyo de la ´Riscos de Famara´.

En su inspección se observó que el buque poseía equipamiento para efectuar buceo autónomo así como una cámara hiperbárica. Desde ese momento, la embarcación quedó retenida en la Isla de Alborán por efectuar actividades subacuáticas dentro de la Reserva de Pesca sin autorización y no disponer el patrón de la titulación necesaria para el manejo.

En la mañana de este jueves, la Armada ha enviado al patrullero ´Cazadora´ a la isla para acompañar al catamarán hacia el puerto de Almería, donde será transferido al Servicio Marítimo de la Guardia Civil.

Las actuaciones han sido coordinadas con la Secretaría General de Pesca Marítima, que tiene prevista la presencia de un inspector de pesca a la llegada del catamarán al puerto de Almeríaa partir de las 15,00 horas


http://www.lavozdealmeria.es/vernoticia.asp?IdNoticia=45395&IdSeccion=2

 Anne-Marie Struggles