Romania’s Government approved on Wednesday, July 8, series of new rules for the ships and boats that navigate in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation (RBDD).

No matter the purpose, duration and period, ships and boats will need a pass issued by the RBDD Administration to have access and navigate on Danube Delta canals and inland lakes, except for the Danube arms, according to the Government, reports local Hotnews.ro.

All propelled ships and boats that navigate in the RBDD perimeter will be equipped with electronic devices that send their position and speed to the fixed stations. The traffic monitoring system will consist of fixed stations for tracking and identifying ships/boats, and surveillance cameras. This measure aims to establish a better control of ships and boats navigating in the RBDD perimeter, and a more efficient identification of those who don’t respect the rules.

The new regulations also bring changes to traffic rules in the Delta. The document reduces the maximum speed limit for boats and ships on some lakes and canals in the Danube Delta, based on the area’s diversity. The regulation establishes the navigation channels and inland lakes where boats can navigate with a maximum speed of 40 km per hour, as well as those where the maximum speed limit is of 15 km per hour. It also mentions lakes and canals located near bird colonies, where boats are allowed to navigate at a maximum speed of 5 km per hour. Moreover, access and navigation in protected areas is forbidden.

Ships and boats belonging to the Ministry of Defense, the Interior Ministry, RBDD Administration, the Romanian Naval Authority, the Regional Development Ministry, the Health Ministry, as well as other institutions in the area national defense, public order and national security, are exempted from these rules.

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Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com