Development of Maritime Safety in the Small Ports in the Baltic Sea Region

The project MASAPO aims at developing maritime safety in small ports in the Baltic Sea Region. The project tackles the lack of information about small ports and safety services in Estonia and Åland. The project develops cooperation between small ports in Estonia and Åland islands to provide better information about the ports and their safety services. The project involves pilot voluntary maritime rescue organisations to use their international experience in developing and implementing higher safety standards in the ports for tourists and local habitants.

In practice the project jointly surveys and maps the current safety situation in the participating small ports and makes development plans for the needed investments. The project does research and trains volunteers and local service providers in the pilot ports to have the necessary skills for preventive activities and for participation in rescue operations.

As a result of the project the pilot small ports in Estonian and Åland islands have tight cooperation with four local voluntary maritime rescue organisations like members of Estonian Voluntary Maritime Rescue Organisation and stations of Åland island Lifeboat Society. Partners have jointly designed a basic safety quality sign and the safety services have been improved. Through these improvements the number of visitors on the islands is expected to increase as higher safety standards improve reliability and attract more visitors to the region.