Cyprus-Forum.com

[CBBB]

By Stefanos Evripidou
Published on October 6, 2011

ANOTHER SEISMIC vessel, believed to be French-owned and hired by Turkey, was yesterday found close to the Akamas peninsula, moving in straight lines around 50 nautical miles west of the island, it transpired yesterday.

The ship was spotted on the website marinetraffic.com, which tracks ships’ positions in real-time based on received Automatic Identification System data.

According to the ‘Live Ships’ map on the website, the vessel is the Norwegian-flagged

Bergen Surveyor, owned by French-based geophysical services company CGG Veritas.

The map showed the ship moving in an area approximately 50 nautical miles from Akamas, covering around 130km in two straight lines, moving northeast first, then doubling back on itself, moving in a southeasterly direction, close to its original location.

The CGG Veritas website notes that the Bergen Surveyor is an award-winning seismic vessel which belongs to the company.

A Defence Ministry source confirmed last night that the Bergen Surveyor was operating in an area approximately 50 nautical miles west from the Akamas coastline.

The source noted that if the vessel was simply passing through waters west of Paphos, this was not a violation of any laws. However, if it was conducting a seismic survey, then this was a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea since the vessel had gone beyond the median line separating the waters between Turkey and Cyprus.

Unlike Egypt, Israel and Lebanon, Turkey has not signed any agreement delineating the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) between it and Cyprus. If Turkey and Cyprus were to draw up their respective EEZs, based on the UN Convention, then the area in question would likely be part of Cyprus’ EEZ.

Last month, Turkey announced that it would begin oceanographic explorations around Cyprus after the Cyprus Republic began drilling in its own EEZ, south of the island in Block 12. Turkey signed an agreement delineating its maritime borders with the north’s breakaway regime and sent its ageing vessel the Piri Reis to survey waters that impinge upon some of the 13 blocks dividing Cyprus’ EEZ, including Block 12.

Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said surveys would also be carried out by CGG Veritas off the coast of Antalya (Turkey) and Cyprus.

On September 22, CGG Veritas confirmed to the Cyprus Mail that it had been contracted by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation TPAO to carry out seismic surveys in the Mediterranean, but stressed these would take place in “entirely undisputed waters”.

Hovey Cox, Vice-President of Group Communications for CGG Veritas, said: “TPAO has been very clear with us that they would not ask us to work in disputed waters.”

Without naming the vessel, he said one of its fleet had been outfitted and that seismic surveys were underway in the same “undisputed waters”.

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/seism ... s/20111006

According to the lunch time Sigma news there is a Greek frigate on its way to these “undisputed waters”.

[Capt J Sparrow]

According to the lunch time Sigma news there is a Greek frigate on its way to these “undisputed waters”.

What, the Spartan TV Network is reporting the arrival of a Spartan frigate?

I thought they didn't have the bollocks.

Yialoser's panties will now be all wet!

[Sotos]

The waters are undisputed alright. They indisputably belong to Republic of Cyprus and any company helping the Turkish pirates should be sued.

[bill cobbett]

Believe that the boundaries of the CY EEZ to the west of Paphos aren't delimited by not having being agreed to by CY, Greece and Turkey and that believe is why It is being argued that the waters are not in dispute.

Well the Republic should follow Turkey's own lead in the Black Sea where pending agreements with others (which were subsequently agreed amicably and formally), it unilaterally declared an EEZ stretching to the median points with the other countries bordering the Black Sea.

CY should do the same, unilaterally declare an EEZ up to the median points with Greece (taking in to account Kastellorizo) and Turkey in its western and northern waters. Such a declaration will make the waters where the survey is being carried out without any doubt whatsoever Disputed Waters.

[Get Real!]

The source noted that if the vessel was simply passing through waters west of Paphos, this was not a violation of any laws. However, if it was conducting a seismic survey, then this was a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea since the vessel had gone beyond the median line separating the waters between Turkey and Cyprus.

I'm sure the RoC knows what to do in these cases... in fact they are world renowned complainers at the international level!

[supporttheunderdog]

we should remember that the ROC EEZ streches all around the island, up to 300 miles from land, or the median point between the Island and our neighbors, (as better defined in UNCLOS) which ever is less, so if that ship is surveying unless that ship is surevying in the area closer to Turkey thanany part of Cyprus, including the occuppeied zone, the ship is violating the terms on which she can pass through the Cyprus EEZ.

I think I'd be looking at European arrest warrants for the master, and officers, and the directors and officres of the ship's owners / operators / managers.

I think CY law should also allow for a very large fine and/or confiscation of any ship surveying without a license.

[Maximus]

we should remember that the ROC EEZ streches all around the island, up to 300 miles from land, or the median point between the Island and our neighbors, (as better defined in UNCLOS) which ever is less, so if that ship is surveying unless that ship is surevying in the area closer to Turkey thanany part of Cyprus, including the occuppeied zone, the ship is violating the terms on which she can pass through the Cyprus EEZ.

I think I'd be looking at European arrest warrants for the master, and officers, and the directors and officres of the ship's owners / operators / managers.

I think CY law should also allow for a very large fine and/or confiscation of any ship surveying without a license.

spot on.....