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Blackflag campaign in Kiel
6/15/2009
Currently, our operating radius is extremely limited as we are often not allowed to call at even the nearest foreign port. That is why we are flying the black flag with a question mark in it - we simply do not know how to keep going under the current interpretations of legal framework.
Increasingly, European countries are in disagreement about the mutual recognition of national provisions for traditional vessels and this is leading to some countries going it alone.
The very concept of traditional shipping is threatened if we are only allowed to operate within the national waters before our doorstep. Heavily restricting cross-national operation will effectively end maritime exchanges, preclude visits to maritime events in other countries and thus run counter to the endeavour of preserving traditional seamanship by organising long cruises.
European integration is increasingly based on legislation common to all member countries. National sets of rules for traditional vessels are a clear exception to this trend.
What we need is a reliable international legal framework for the operation of our vessels.
More information
Apeal to the vessels operators
www.blackflag.eu
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