Providing consulting services to achieve compliance with the requirements of international instruments on maritime safety and protection of the environment from pollution from ships

Bulgaria's readiness to act in case of disasters and accidents at sea in its role as coastal and port state is obligation under international conventions ratified and entered into force for the state and also a necessity in order to protect human life and health and the environment in marine areas and coastline, most of which fall into the Natura-2000 network. The cases of maritime incidents in the Bulgarian Search and Rescue Responsible Region (BMORTS) raises a number of questions about the effectiveness of the state's actions as a coastal or port state, and as a country under the relevant international instruments. The National Emergency Plan for Combating Oil Spills in the Black Sea (part of the National Disaster Protection Plan (NAPP)) has not been updated since 2011. Despite the requirement of Article 65 para. (3) of the LMPVPP A National Search and Rescue Plan in BMORTS was developed and proposed to the Council of Ministers. There is the so-called Plan of the search and rescue operation from 2004, but it is not part of the NDPP. The commercial and legal complications and difficulties in reimbursing the costs of the state, made to reduce the harmful effects (on the environment, shipping, etc.), as well as to secure property, require areview of regulations. To improve the above situation, an audit will be conducted to assess the implementation of the International Code for the Implementation of the Instruments of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as the relevance and implementation of the National Strategy for Implementing the Commitments of Bulgaria as a flag state, coastal state and port state. As a result an analysis will be implemented and needs and specifications of resources for search and rescue, oil spill response response and salvage of property at sea shall be identified.

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