UPDATE: on March the 2nd Larnaca port authority has declared that the ban that they wanted to Put on diving the Zenobia and other dive site within Larnaca Port Area has been removed.
"Following pressure from diving and other bodies connected with tourism, a meeting was convened for today in Nicosia, to include the Cyprus Ports Authority, Cyprus Dive Center Association (CDCA),Cyprus Tourist Organisation, Coastal Passenger Boats Union, Marine Police and Department of Search and Rescue."
For all buddies!!! Happy Zenobia Diving :)
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The 178 Meters Ro-Ro vessel that has sunk near Larnaca harbor in 1980 , the Zenobia. Was considered the best diving site in Cyprus.(you can check the post dedicated to the Zenobia HERE).
why am i using the past tense?? Because larnaca port authorities have banned the dive on the Zenobia.
What is the problem?
According to larnaca port authority general director "Yiannakis Kokkinos" said that the family of a woman who died while diving in 2010 considered legal action against port authorities.
Catherine Vicar "33" was found unconscious in the engine room of the Zenobia shipwreck in October 2010. She had Separated from her group and ran out of Air while underwater.
The result is that the Port of Larnaca Authority has decided to ban diving in port waters for "Legal Reasons" - and the port waters include the wreck of the Zenobia.
What are the port authority of Larnaca Saying???
the head of port authorities, Chryssis Prentzas said they had no choice but to ban diving in port water.
"Until those interested get the necessary licences, port authorities will not allow diving" Prentzas said
"It is the Cyprus Port Authorities (CPA) social obligation to ensure all members of the public who do this will do so withing the context of health and safety" Prentzas said.
CPA have evoked legislation dating back to 1973 and says that anyone swimming or diving anywhere that falls within its jurisdiction (3 nautical miles) needs a license.
Solution???
"Following pressure from diving and other bodies connected with tourism, a meeting was convened for today in Nicosia, to include the Cyprus Ports Authority, Cyprus Dive Center Association (CDCA),Cyprus Tourist Organisation, Coastal Passenger Boats Union, Marine Police and Department of Search and Rescue."
For all buddies!!! Happy Zenobia Diving :)
=======================================================================
The 178 Meters Ro-Ro vessel that has sunk near Larnaca harbor in 1980 , the Zenobia. Was considered the best diving site in Cyprus.(you can check the post dedicated to the Zenobia HERE).
why am i using the past tense?? Because larnaca port authorities have banned the dive on the Zenobia.
What is the problem?
According to larnaca port authority general director "Yiannakis Kokkinos" said that the family of a woman who died while diving in 2010 considered legal action against port authorities.
Catherine Vicar "33" was found unconscious in the engine room of the Zenobia shipwreck in October 2010. She had Separated from her group and ran out of Air while underwater.
The result is that the Port of Larnaca Authority has decided to ban diving in port waters for "Legal Reasons" - and the port waters include the wreck of the Zenobia.
What are the port authority of Larnaca Saying???
the head of port authorities, Chryssis Prentzas said they had no choice but to ban diving in port water.
"Until those interested get the necessary licences, port authorities will not allow diving" Prentzas said
"It is the Cyprus Port Authorities (CPA) social obligation to ensure all members of the public who do this will do so withing the context of health and safety" Prentzas said.
CPA have evoked legislation dating back to 1973 and says that anyone swimming or diving anywhere that falls within its jurisdiction (3 nautical miles) needs a license.
Solution???
Now it is not clear how licenses will be given, nor if their will be any change on the legislation...
The Tourism Development and Promotion of Larnaca Association, Larnaca Municipality and CDCA and other involved parties have asked the port authorities to lift the ban, at least until the options has been discussed.
Until the mess gets sorted out , diving the Zenobia is from the Past... 
