BLUE FLAG
TOURISM BOAT CRITERIA AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
2021

INTRODUCTION
The Blue Flag programme for beaches, marinas and tourism boats is run by the international, nongovernmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education). The
Blue Flag programme was started in France in 1985. It has been operating in Europe since 1987 andin areas outside of Europe since 2001 when South Africa joined. Today, Blue Flag has become a truly
global programme with an ever-increasing number of countries participating in the programme.
The Blue Flag programme promotes sustainable tourism development in freshwater and marine
areas. It challenges local authorities, site operators and tourism boats to achieve high standards ina total of six categories: water quality, environmental management, environmental education andinformation, safety and services, social responsibility and responsible operation around wildlife.
The criteria for tourism boats are divided into the five categories of: environmental management,
environmental education and information, safety and services, social responsibility and responsible
operation around wildlife. Over the years, the Blue Flag has become a highly respected andrecognised award working to bring together the tourism and environmental sectors at local,
regional and national levels to ensure sustainable tourism.
The explanatory notes given in this document make up the common and shared understanding of
the Blue Flag tourism boat criteria and the requirements for the implementation thereof. The
explanatory notes provide details on the measurement and management of compliance with theBlue Flag tourism boat criteria.
The criteria are categorised as either imperative or guideline. Most tourism boat criteria areimperative, i.e. the tourism boat must comply with them in order to be awarded Blue Flagaccreditation. If they are guideline criteria, it is preferable that they are complied with, but not
mandatory. In the case that a tourism boat cannot comply with one or more of the imperative
criteria, the tourism boat can apply for a dispensation. Appendix A gives further information about
dispensation cases.
It must be emphasised that the Blue Flag tourism boat criteria in this document are the minimum
criteria. A national programme can choose to have stricter criteria than what is outlined here.
These tourism boat criteria and explanatory notes are to be used by all Blue Flag applicants in orderto understand the requirements that must be met before a tourism boat can receive Blue Flagaccreditation. For guidance purposes, this document should also prove valuable for the
management of those tourism boats already accredited with Blue Flag status. The tourism boat
criteria and explanatory notes also serve as a guide for the National, Regional, and InternationalBlue Flag Juries when making decisions about a Blue Flag tourism boat candidate.
The tour operator is able to make a Blue Flag Award application for one or several of its boats should
they be compliant with award criteria. It is important to recognise that it is individual boats thathave gained the award, not the tour operator as a whole.
1Furthermore, only charter boat companies that offer crewed charter boat tours can apply for theBlue Flag to ensure the compliance of the criteria.
Tour operators with the sole purpose of offering ferry services cannot apply for the Blue Flag.
During the Blue Flag awarding period the flag must be present on all of the tour operators’ awarded
tourism boats. If not all tourism boats from a tour operator are awarded, the list of the awardedboats must be clearly indicated on the website and all other PR documentation from the boating
operator, as well as in the ticket office. The flag is both a symbol of the programme being run by the
tourism boat but also an indication of compliance.
If a tourism boat that has Blue Flag accreditation does not comply with the Blue Flag criteria, theflag may be permanently or temporarily withdrawn. There are several degrees of non-compliance:
1. A minor non-compliance occurs when there is a problem with only one imperative criterion,
which is of little or no consequence to visitor health and safety and the site environment.
Should the non - compliance be to the detriment of visitor health and safety or the site
environment, it must be treated as major non - compliance.
When minor non-compliance occurs and can be immediately rectified, the flag is notwithdrawn, and the non-compliance is only registered in the control visit report. If, however,a minor non-compliance cannot be rectified immediately, the site is given 10 days in whichto comply fully with all criteria. The flag is withdrawn until all problems are rectified, and thisis noted on the Blue Flag national and international websites.
2. Multiple non-compliance relates to non-compliance with two to three imperative criteria
which are of little or no consequence to visitor health and safety and the site environment.
Should any on the non - compliance be to the detriment of visitor health and safety or thesite environment, it/they must be treated as major non - compliance.
When multiple non-compliances occur, the site is given 10 days in which to comply fully withall criteria, the flag is withdrawn until all the problems are rectified, and the national andinternational websites are updated accordingly.
3. Major non-compliance occurs when the site does not comply with one or several criteria,with a consequence for the health and safety of the site user or to the environment, as wellas the general perception of the site and therefore the Programme.
When detecting a major non-compliance, the flag is withdrawn immediately and for the restof the season. The site information board must clearly indicate that the Blue Flag award has
been withdrawn. The national and international websites are updated accordingly.

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In all cases of non-compliance, the National Operator must immediately inform the tourism
operator about the observed areas of non-compliance for its tourism boat. The tour operator must
inform the National Operator of re-compliance with the criteria and present the appropriate
documentation needed. The National Operator should also consider a follow-up control visit tocheck that the tourism boat does comply. In the event that the tourism boat does not ensure anddocument re-compliance with the criteria within 10 days, the National Operator must ensure thatthe Blue Flag is withdrawn for the rest of the period of validity.
In the event that conditions within the tourism boat change and the flag has to be temporarily
withdrawn, the tour operator must inform the National Operator that the flag has been temporarily
withdrawn, along with details as to why, and the international website must be changed accordingly.
Apart from updating the Blue Flag website of the status of the tourism boat, the National Operator
must inform Blue Flag International about the non-compliance. If non-compliance is noted by an
International Controller, the National Operator has to give feedback to Blue Flag International
within 30 days after receiving the report from Blue Flag International
All Blue Flag accredited tourism boats have to comply with the general Blue Flag criteria for
tourism boats. If the tour operator offers bird watching, cage diving, recreational diving,
recreational fishing, seal watching or whale watching, the tour operator has to comply with thegeneral criteria and the specific criteria for the activity on that tourism boat.
If the tour operator offers two or more activities for which additional criteria are available, all of therespective additional criteria have to be complied with. However, for all activities that are notmentioned above it is sufficient if the tour operator only complies with the general criteria.
Furthermore, the tour operator’s ticket offices/ticket booths and other buildings that are open to
the public are also subject to the criteria (In the following ‘buildings’ refer only to those that areaccessible to the public).

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The period of validity for tourism boats is one year from the date of the bestowal of the award.
FEE, and the National Operator in a country, reserves the right to refuse or withdraw Blue Flagaccreditation from any tourism boat where the tour operator is responsible for violations ofnational environmental regulations or otherwise acts in discord with the objectives and spirit of theBlue Flag programme. Blue Flag tourism boats are subject to announced and/or unannounced
control visits by FEE International and the National Operator.

DEFINITION OF A BLUE FLAG TOURISM BOAT
All tourism boats from a tour operator that offer boat-based tourism activities on motorised andwind-powered boats that are steered by a qualified captain and that embrace sustainable
practices in line with the Blue Flag criteria are eligible for application to become a Blue Flagaccredited tourism boat. This includes:••••

Seeing environmental education as an integral part of the tourism products
Assessing and making an effort to reduce negative impacts on the economic, social andnatural environment
Considering the needs of tourists, its employees and the environment
Contributing to the development and distribution of sustainable practices4Depending on the size of the boats used for the tours, alternative criteria apply. The explanatory
notes include alternative criteria for small boats which include motorised rubber boats (e.g. rigid
inflatable boats, zodiacs), open motorboats and any other type of boat that is too small to comply
with the criteria. All small boats have to comply with the alternative criteria to be awarded the BlueFlag.

It is intended that all boats that provide tours comply with the Blue Flag criteria. If at the time of
application, they are not all compliant the tour operator must provide an action plan indicating•

which boats are not in compliance, referencing them by the name they are registered underwhich criteria they are not compliant with when and how they plan to be in compliance
The action plan is sent to the National and International Juries who decide whether the noncompliances- pose any danger to the health and safety of the boat passengers, of the staff or to theenvironment and/or- harms the image of the Blue Flag programme
If the National or International Juries find that one of the points above is answered with yes, thetour operator will not be awarded. If the International Jury approves the action plan, the National
Operator is then in charge of ensuring the action plan is rolled out.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR TOURISM BOATS .............................................................. 7
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION .............................................. 7
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT .............................................................................. 12
SAFETY AND SERVICES ................................................................................................... 24
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ................................................................................................ 29
RESPONSIBLE OPERATION AROUND WILD ANIMALS ............................................ 31
APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................... 35
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR BIRD WATCHING BOATS.......................................... 45
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR CAGE DIVING BOATS ................................................ 47
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR RECREATIONAL DIVING BOATS .............................. 49
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR RECREATIONAL FISHING BOATS ............................. 53
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR SEAL WATCHING BOATS .......................................... 56
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR .................................................................................... 58
WHALE WATCHING BOATS ..................................................................................... 58

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GENERAL CRITERIA FOR TOURISM BOATSENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
Criterion 1. Information relating to local eco-systems and environmental phenomena must be
available to tourists. The tour operator must also provide a map and information about the areaof operation and, if applicable, about the protected area they are operating in.
The aim of this criterion is to make sure that tourists are well informed and educated about thenatural and/or cultural assets seen during the tour so that they are encouraged to learn about andexperience the environment in a responsible way. Depending on the operating area, this includes
relevant local environmental phenomena, cultural sites, local ecosystems or sensitive areas in thesurrounding environment.
Depending on the size and design of the boats, several methods are acceptable in providing
information. These include:-(Electronic) Information boards
Posters
Leaflets-

Video presentations
Books
Audio guides and announcements

The map of the area of operation and, if applicable, of the protected area must be displayed either
in the ticket office of the tour operator, on the boat or in the tour operator’s promotion leaflet thatis provided for tourists. Tourist should get a clear idea of the characteristics of the area.
The provision of information and information materials must be available at no further costs thanthe ones which passengers have paid for the activity.
If there is no space for any of the named sources of information on small boats, the provision of a guide (seecriterion 7) is sufficient to comply with this criterion. The decision whether the boat is too small to provide
additional information materials lies with the Blue Flag National Operator and Blue Flag International.
However, additional information materials should be available in the ticket office if this is open to the
public.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 2. A code of conduct for tourists that reflects appropriate rules governing the behaviour
onboard must be displayed. The tour operator must also be able to provide relevant information
about the appropriate behaviour in the harbour area.
The code of conduct should address tourists and their conduct on the boat. The code of conduct
must be displayed on the boat. It is also recommended that the code of conduct is displayed in theticket office and on the website.
The code of conduct for the boat must at least include rules about:7

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the adequate disposal of litterthe smoking policy onboard
safety advices (how to move safely around the boat, do’s and don’ts)
the adequate behaviour during an encounter with wild animals (e.g. no feeding andtouching, avoidance of loud noises, use of flashlight etc.), if applicable

The code of conduct has to be easily understandable and should preferably include graphics. In
destinations with many international tourists, it is recommended to translate the code of conduct
in relevant languages as well.
In addition, the tour operator must be able to provide all information about the harbour area, whichis relevant for the safety of the tourists and the safety for the environment. This information could
include rules about the use of vehicles and parking areas, no-swimming or diving areas, the use offire (etc.).
Please see appendix B for an example of an acceptable code of conduct.
On small boats, the code of conduct does not have to be displayed onboard, but it must be communicatedto the tourists by the guide, captain or another staff member.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 3. Information about the Blue Flag programme and the Blue Flag for tourism boats must
be displayed on the boat and in the ticket office.
Information about the Blue Flag programme must be available in the tour operator’s office, on theboats and on the website of the tour operator. The correct International Blue Flag logo must be
used, in accordance with the FEE branding guidelines. The essence of each of the five categories of
the Blue Flag tourism boat criteria must be explained in this information. It must also be explainedthat the Blue Flag award is only valid for one year at a time. Contact details for the national andinternational Blue Flag representatives must be available as well.
In areas of international tourism, it is recommended that the information be provided in relevant
languages.
In the event that the flag is temporarily withdrawn, information must be provided on the tour
operator’s website and the ticket office informing the public as to the reasons why the flag waswithdrawn.
Blue Flag tourism boats can promote the Green Key programme as another FEE eco-label
programme with a message such as: “Along with the Blue Flag, the Foundation for Environmental
Education also develops another eco-label for accommodations: Green Key.
Appendix C provides an example of how the Blue Flag information can be presented.
On small boats, the information about Blue Flag does not have to be displayed onboard, but it has to be8

posted in the ticket office and on the tour operator’s website.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 4. The boating operator is responsible for offering at least one environmental education
activity to the tourists, employees or local community within the Blue Flag awarded year.
Environmental education activities promote the aims of the Blue Flag programme by:-increasing the awareness of, and care for, the local environment by recreational users andresidents.
training personnel and tour operators in environmental matters and best practice methods.
encouraging the participation of local tour operators in environmental management within
the area.
promoting sustainable recreation and tourism in the area.
promoting the sharing of ideas and efforts between the Blue Flag programme and other FEE
programmes (YRE, LEAF, Eco-Schools and Green Key).

The tour operator is obliged to offer at least one environmental education activity within the year
to its employees or to the general public. Educational activities that are offered on standard tours(including tailor-made tours) do not comply with this criterion. In addition, activities that are offered
to comply with other criteria do not comply with this criterion. The activities should focus on theenvironment, environmental issues, Blue Flag issues or sustainability issues.
The activities can be carried out on the boat as well as in the office of the tour operator, at the
harbour or in other public places (town hall, school, etc.). Depending on the average number oftourists per season, the tour operator must offer one to five educational activities per season:
Below 2500 tourists per year
Between 2500 and 4999 tourists per year
Between 5000 and 7499 tourist per year
Between 7500 and 9999 tourist per year
From 10000 and more tourists per year

– 1 activity– 2 activities– 3 activities– 4 activities– 5 activities

The planned environmental education activities must be included in the application documents, aswell as a report on activities carried out during the previous year (if the tour operator has been
awarded before).
The environmental education activities should be effective and relevant, and each year, the tour
operator should re-evaluate the activities that were implemented and work towards constantly
improvingthem.
Where the planned environmental education activities are of interest to and involve, the generalpublic or tourists, these activities must be promoted in good time to inform the public about theseopportunities. Furthermore, these activities must be offered for free. However, a small
9participatory fee is accepted if needed to cover costs such as lunches, water, etc. but no businessbenefits can be made out of these environmental education activities.
Tour operators are encouraged to implement and/or support sustainable development projects inwhich public participation is a key element, e.g. Local Agenda 21 initiatives or action days. The
activities can also be linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
If specific sensitive natural areas (including protected areas) lie within the area of operation of thetour operator (e.g. mangroves, coral reefs or seagrass beds), it is imperative that some of theeducational activities address these sensitive natural areas.
Appendix D provides further background on the environmental education activities.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 5. All staff must be trained on the environmental undertakings of the operator.
An essential precondition for offering environmentally friendly tourism products is environmental
education within the company. Only if the employers and employees have a clear understanding of
the impacts their operation has on the environment, they can adjust their behaviour and make moresustainable decisions. It is therefore important to educate the staff about the environmental
undertakings of the operator and to actively engage them. For this purpose, the management of theoperator must organise at least one annual meeting.
The information includes issues of environmental management (water, energy, waste, cleaning,food and beverage, etc.), other sustainability issues, but also issues of awareness-raising of guests,
staff, suppliers and the surrounding community. Furthermore, if the company is operating in a
protected area, the employees must be informed about the respective laws and regulations which
are in place.
Keeping the staff updated about existing and new environmental initiatives give the staff a better
understanding of their role in the work but also enables the staff to properly inform and answer
questions from guests on the matter. The staff is not only informed about the environmental
initiatives but also has the possibility to contribute with ideas and suggestions.
When planning the meetings, consideration is taken regarding seasonal employees in order toensure as much participation of the staff as possible.
During the application, minutes from the held meetings between the management and staff ispresented. During the control visits, it is also possible to engage staff to know their level ofknowledge on environmental initiatives of the establishment.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 6. The staff of the tour operator must receive training on the local environment and/or
other environmental and sustainability issues at least once a year.
10The tour operator must offer information to its staff about one of the following issues at least oncea year:-

The local ecosystems: characteristics and threats they are facing
Local flora and fauna
Local culture
Developments in the local community that linked to the activities of the tour operator
Sustainable consumption
Responsible tourism
Environmental management
Health and well-being
The United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals

The training can be both external and internal. External training could hold the form of training
courses by consultants, experts, guides, product suppliers, field trips to museums, national parksetc., participation in seminars, webinars and other online courses and studies, networks, etc.
Internal trainings can be organised by the management or by other staff members and could be heldin the form of presentations, film screenings, workshops etc.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 7. The tour operator must provide a qualified guide who is in charge of the safety
instructions and the environmental education onboard for each tour.
The tour operator must provide a qualified guide on each tour to ensure that tourists respect andare educated about natural and cultural assets as well as about the environment and how to behave
responsibly during the tour. The guide should provide sufficient information about possible wildlife
sightings and educate tourists about appropriate behaviour during an encounter with wild animals.
All guides have to complete a training which is either conducted by another guide who has beenworking for the tour operator for at least 6 months, by the person who is in charge of organising thetours or which is conducted by a third party which has expertise in guiding tours and/or
environmental education. This third party could be environmental NGOs, research institutes,
accredited naturalists, etc. The tour operator has to keep records about these trainings.
Blue Flag recommends that the guides have at least one of the following qualifications:-they study or have a degree in a field of study that is relevant for the activity (biology-related
fields of study, earth sciences, environmental sciences, tourism)
they have work experience in guiding nature-related tours
they have a qualification in guiding which is accredited by the national authorities

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They have work experience in the field of nature conservation, sustainable tourism or
sustainable development
they are locals that prove to have sufficient knowledge about natural phenomena andwildlife

The information given to tourists by the guide must include:- information about the local nature, wildlife and if applicable culture- Responsible behaviour onboard during encounters with wildlife
communities/residents- Code of conduct- Safety instructions

and

local

If the activities don't require a guide, the tour operator can ask for a dispensation from this criterion. The
decision whether the activity requires a guide lies with the Blue Flag National Operator and Blue Flag
International. A possible way to replace the guide is to provide audio information (either throughloudspeakers or individual headphones). However, the recording must include the same information as
usually given by a guide and must be approved by the Blue Flag National Operator or Blue Flag
International.
See Appendix E for a detailed list of information guides have to provide to the tourists.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 8. Tour operators that transfer tourists to land-based excursions, or that offer ferry
services next to other tourism activities must provide information about the environment at thedestination and inform tourists about their possible impact on the local ecosystems.
Land-based excursions include all excursions that are reached by boat but are conducted by foot,bike or other transportation means at the destination. Tourism boats which offer transfers to landbased excursions, that offer tours which include a land-based excursion, or which offer ferry
services next to other tourism activities are asked to educate the tourists about nature and if
relevant, culture at the destination prior to their visit. This could include the geography, wildlife,
monuments or other natural or cultural assets. The aim of this criterion is to minimise the possible
negative impact of the tourists on sensitive areas once they have disembarked the boat.
Tour operators with the sole purpose of offering ferry services cannot apply for the Blue Flag.
See the explanatory notes on criterion 1 for examples of how to provide this information to tourists.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll boating operators that transfer tourists toland-based excursions
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

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Criterion 9. A management committee should be established, with responsibility for instituting
environmental management systems and conducting regular environmental control visits of the
tourism boat, the buildings of the tour operator and the tours.
The management committee should be responsible for ensuring compliance with all environmental
management criteria, including protected area requirements where appropriate. It should also be
responsible for assessing the quality of the tour, both regarding the information provided totourists, and the level of responsibility exhibited by those conducting the tour.
The committee should consist of relevant stakeholders at the local level. Relevant stakeholders
might include: local authority representatives; educational representatives; local or international
NGOs; community representatives; special user groups; protected area representatives;
representatives of the boating industry and other Blue Flag tourism operators.
The management committee should co-operate with and support the tour operator and should
conduct environmental control visits of the boat, the buildings and the tours.
Where appropriate, a management committee may operate over a number of Blue Flag tourism
operators within a local authority or an area/region. There is no need for a separate management
committee for each individual Blue Flag tourism operator.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll boating operators

Criterion 10. Each boating operator must have an environmental policy and an environmental
plan which includes concrete environmental goals. All employees must be informed and educatedabout the plan.
This criterion encourages the tour operator to investigate the environmental impacts their boats
and buildings have on the environment, to plan and perform improvements of the environmental
conditions on the boats and buildings, and, finally, to document these improvements. The criterion,
therefore, not only aims to encourage tour operators to appraise their environmental situation, butalso to focus on the actions that need to be taken to improve this situation. Planning and improving
the environmental conditions on the boats and in the buildings can, at the same time, have a positiveeffect on the economy of the tour operator. The environmental goals could address the water
management, the waste and energy consumption, health and safety issues, and the use ofenvironmentally friendly products wherever possible.
The tour operator has to produce a list of environmental goals every year. The tour operator should
aim at reaching at least 3 environmental goals in each year. It must be clear what the tour operator
wants to achieve with the goal, when it will be achieved and who is responsible for the goal. If thetour operator wants to be awarded in the following year, a report has to be produced which assesses
the implementation of the goal, as well as the outcomes.
Furthermore, each tour operator must have an environmental policy which is a general statement
describing the overall aims and ambitions of the company to operate sustainably. All staff must beaware of the environmental policy.

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See Appendix F for two suggestions on how to develop an environmental plan.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 11. The boating operator must comply with all regulations pertaining to the locationand operation of the tourism boat and offered services. All buildings must be properly maintained
and be in compliance with national legislation.
Regulations pertaining to the harbour, the operations of the tours, the services provided as well as
the tourism boat must be met for the tourism boat to receive and maintain its Blue Flag status. The
tour operator must assure that the tourism boat and the activities under its responsibility comply
with all relevant international and national regulations. These regulations may include
environmental legislation, wastewater legislation, safety regulations, operation licenses, licences
and permits concerning the preparation and offering of food, among others. Every boat must be
registered, and the crew must hold valid skipper and captain’s licences, if applicable.
In addition, the ticket office and other buildings must be clean, well-maintained and in compliancewith legislation. No unauthorised pollution from the buildings or facilities is to enter the marineland, water or surroundings.
At the time of application for Blue Flag status, the applicant must provide written evidence from all
relevant departments that the boat, buildings and crew meet international and national regulations.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 12. Hazardous waste generated on the tourism boat and in the buildings must be stored
and disposed of responsibly.
Hazardous waste (e.g. paints, solvents, boat scraping, antifouling agents, used batteries, waste oil,flares, light bulbs, ink cartridges etc.) must be stored in segregated containers and must be disposedof at respective reception facilities or returned to the seller.
The containers for storing hazardous waste must be clean and environmentally-safe. The
containers must be suitable to contain the hazardous waste in question, and the floor or surface on
which the containers stand must be made of a material which is not affected by the hazardous waste
and which is easy to clean if leakage occurs.
The waste must be prevented from leaking, igniting, exploding, etc. It must be separated from otherfacilities and must not pose a danger to children. Wherever possible, the containers should not belocated close to the water. In the event of an accidental spillage, the area around the containers
must be cleaned up immediately and rehabilitated as a matter of priority.
Hazardous waste must be removed from the boats as soon as possible and must be disposed of ordelivered to a licensed disposal facility.
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Licensed disposal facilities are facilities approved by authorities on the basis of environmental
requirements. To ensure the correct collection, sorting, storage and disposal of the waste, the tour
operator must comply with national and international waste management plans and standards.
The duty of a tourism boat receiving Blue Flag accreditation is to ensure that all waste is properly
disposed of.
If hazardous waste is produced on small boats (e.g. batteries, defective light bulbs), it must be temporarily
stored in a secure place and container on the boat, where it does not pose any danger to either thepassengers or the environment. It must be removed from the boat immediately after the tour.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 13. Adequate and well-managed litter bins and/or garbage containers must be in placeon the boats and in the buildings of the tour operator. The wastes must be disposed of at alicensed facility that is handled by a licensed contractor. This can be done through the harbour.
Litter bins and/or garbage containers must be placed in areas where they are in easy reach of
tourists and staff members. The size and number of the bins/containers should be adequate for thenumber of users, and there should be clear signage on each bin regarding the kind of litter it accepts.
The litter bins should be emptied and maintained regularly.
Litter bins, preferably with covers, should also be of a suitable design and appearance. It is
recommended that bins made of environmentally friendly products be used (e.g. bins made ofrecycled composite plastics or wood). It is further recommended that recyclable trash bags be used.
The collected waste should only be disposed of in licensed facilities that are approved by authorities
on the basis of environmental requirements. Waste must not be discharged into the water. Foodwaste should also be disposed of onshore, but if discharged into the water, it has to be done in linewith national and international regulations. It is the duty of the tour operator receiving the Blue
Flag to ensure that the waste is properly disposed of.
If there is no space for (separate) litter bins on small boats, the tour operator must provide an alternative(e.g. separate trash bags), separate the trash after the tour or advise passengers to keep their litter until theend of the tour.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 14. Facilities for receiving recyclable waste materials such as bottles, cans, paper,
plastic and organic material must be in place on the tourism boat and in the tour operator’sbuildings.

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On the boat and in the buildings of the tour operator, emphasis should be placed on waste
minimisation. Waste should, to the largest possible extent, be separated into different categories
and recycled.
Separated categories might include glass, cans, paper, plastic, organic material, etc. The boats andbuildings must be equipped with facilities for receiving different kinds of recyclable wastematerials. To facilitate their use, the containers must be well labelled, in various languages whereappropriate.
Non-biodegradable and non-recyclable waste must be strictly separated from other kinds of waste,
and properly disposed of in licensed facilities.
The tour operator receiving the Blue Flag accreditation has a duty to ensure that its recyclable
waste is properly recycled.
If there is no space for (separate) litter bins on small boats, the tour operator must provide an alternative(e.g. separate trash bags) or advise passengers to keep their litter until the end of the tour.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll boating operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 15. Single-use products used in connection with food and beverages must be avoided. If
single-use products are used, recyclable products and products made of biodegradable materials
must be used.
Wherever safe and possible, the tour operator must equip its boats and its buildings with reusable
plates, cups, glasses and cutlery. If single-use products are used, they have to be recyclable in therespective country or made of biodegradable materials such as wood or corn starch, e.g..
Furthermore, single-serving packages for food products such as sugar, milk, sauces, jam etc. must
be avoided. If single-dose packages have to be used, they should be packaged in recyclable
packaging.
Recyclable, single-use products should be disposed of in line with criterion 14.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 16. 50% of food and beverages offered to tourists must be or contain local products,
organic products, eco-labelled products or fair-trade products.
If the tour operator offers food and/or beverages on the boats and/or in the buildings to the tourists,
consideration must be given to local products (produced within a radius of 100 km from the tour
operator), organic products, eco-labelled products or fair-trade products. This includes, e.g. hot andcold beverages, sweets, pastries, other salty or sweet snacks as well as whole meals offered before,
during or after the tour. National and local dishes are to be offered preferably. At least 50% of the16

offered products must comply with these requirements. If the meals are prepared by the tour
operator, each ingredient counts as one product. In the case of finished products (e.g. beverages,
single-serving packages), each finished product counts as one product.
In addition, tour operators are not allowed to sell or prepare food and beverages that containproducts from endangered species.
If the tour operator offers meals to the staff, it is highly recommended that the food and beverages
provided also comply with this criterion.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERION
All tourism operators

Criterion 17. In EU countries, paper towels, facial tissues and toilet paper must be made of nonchlorine bleached paper or awarded with an eco-label. Tour operators operating in non-EU
countries are strongly encouraged to follow this criterion.
International or nationally recognised eco-labels for paper towels, facial tissues and toilet paper are
evidence for a lower environmental footprint through a more environmentally friendly production
process. Alternatively, it can also be checked if the products are produced from non-chlorine
bleached paper (as bleaching of paper causes additional use of energy and chemicals).
The requirement is obligatory for tour operators located in EU countries, while it is strongly
encouraged that tour operators in countries outside the EU also implement and comply with thiscriterion.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All tourism operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 18. Smoking should be prohibited on the tourism boat. If smoking is allowed on the boat,
it must have special facilities for the disposal of cigarette butts.
Cigarette filters which are made of cellulose acetate, a kind of plastic which takes years to degrade,are one of the most found items in marine litter. It is therefore recommended to prohibit smoking
on the boat to prevent the filters entering the marine or freshwater environment. If smoking isallowed on the boat, adequate disposal containers must be available in the smoking areas. Clear
signage must indicate these areas and the disposal containers. The staff is obliged to inform tourists
about the smoking policy on board, and to advise tourists of where to dispose of their cigarettebutts.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 19. If bilge water pumping facilities are available in the harbour, the tour operator
should make use of them. Untreated bilge water must not be released into the water.

17

Every tour operator that receives the Blue Flag accreditation for at least one of its boats should
ensure that the bilge water on its boats is properly treated and removed. The tourism boat shouldbe either equipped with bilge water holding tanks or a bilge water treatment system.
Bilgewater pumping facilities in the harbour should be able to separate the oily bilge water or water
extraction from oily residues. If there are no bilge water pumping facilities available in the harbour,the tour operator should encourage the responsible authorities to install such facilities. The tour
operator could also seek an agreement with a neighbouring harbour that owns such facilities.
During the application, the tour operator has to explain how bilge water is handled. If the bilge
water is released into the water, the tour operator has to explain why it is not removed on land andhow it is treated before releasing it into the water.
If the bilge water must be released into the water, it must only be done in line with national orinternational regulations, considering among others the MARPOL regulations for preventing oil
pollution from ships if applicable to the respective kind of boat (Annex I of MARPOL 73/78).
It is also recommended that the tour operator uses oil absorbent products in the bilge room (e.g.
bilge socks, bilge booms, bilge pads or bilge pillows) to absorb oil and fuel contaminated water.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 20. Sewage disposal must be controlled and directed to a licensed sewage treatment
facility. Untreated water from toilets must not be released into the sea or freshwater bodies, norclose to sensitive areas.
The tour operator is responsible for the correct disposal of the sewage that is produced on its boats
and in its buildings. It must ensure that untreated sewage or effluents from the toilets in thebuildings do not enter the ground or the water.
On the tourism boat, black and grey water should be stored in holding tanks and appropriately
disposed of ashore, whenever possible. However, if it must be released into the water, it has to bedone in line with national or international regulations, considering among others the MARPOL
regulations for the prevention of pollution by sewage from ships if applicable to the respective kindof boat (Annex IV of MARPOL 73/78).
During the application, the tour operator has to explain how black and grey water is handled on the
tourism boat. If the black and grey water are released into the water, the tour operator has to provethat a) there are no respective reception facilities in the harbour or b) that the tanks do not have thecapacity to hold the black and/or greywater until the end of the tour or c) That the boat is too small
to have holding tanks.
If the black and/or greywater has to be released into the water, Blue Flag asks that at a minimum
the following standards are followed:- black and grey water must never be released in stagnant water bodies, in sensitive areas,
close to the shore, in estuaries or in the harbour
18

-

-

black and grey water must not be released into the water when people are swimming aroundthe boat
Greywater should be as less contaminated as possible. To reduce contamination, thefollowing rules must be followed:
o Cooking and kitchen oils must never be drainedo food scraps must always be removed before cleaning the disheso soaps, shampoos and cleaning products must be biodegradable
The black and greywater must be treated before it is released to minimise theenvironmental impact

IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 21. When selecting products such as paints, paint remover, detergents, cleaningproducts, etc., the tour operator must source environmentally friendly versions, where available
and effective. Special precautions must be taken when using detergents on the outside sectionsof the tourism boat. Cleaning products that enter the greywater produced on the boat must be
biodegradable.
The tour operator is responsible for the purchase and use of products which have been proven to
be environmentally friendly, and which are labelled accordingly, where these options exist for the
product group in question. This applies for products used in the buildings of the tour operator, as
well as on the tourism boat.
Cleaning products that are used on a daily basis must either have a nationally or internationallyrecognised eco-label or cannot contain compounds listed in the blacklist in appendix G. Cleaningproducts that end up in the greywater of the boat must be biodegradable unless the grey water tankis always emptied on land.
In line with the EU regulation (EC) No 782/2003 on the prohibition of organotin compounds onships, biocides containing TBT (Tributylin) must not be used as anti-fouling agents.
Tour operators that apply for the Blue Flag must remove respective anti-fouling agents, or coatthem to prevent the leaching of harmful compounds, within 5 years of obtaining the Blue Flag. This
removal or coating must be recorded in the environmental plan of the boat (see criterion 10), andthe tour operator must prove its efforts to comply with this criterion during every awarding period.
When the tour operator applies new anti-fouling agents on the tourism boat, it has to be includedin the environmental plan, and the name of the anti-fouling agent has to be mentioned in the
documentation.
See Appendix G for a blacklist of cleaning products.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

19

Criterion 22. Repair and painting works on the tourism boat must be limited to specificallydesignated areas in the harbour or locations where there is no danger that toxic substances mightenter the water or the ground.
The tour operator must ensure that all repair and painting works are done in appropriate areas andfacilities so that the environment is not negatively affected.
Regular maintenance works must only be done in designated areas with collection filters, gutters orequivalent systems that catch toxic residues and contaminated water from washing, painting or
removing (antifouling) paint.
Larger repair activities (e.g. grinding, polishing or sandblasting, spray-painting and larger paintworks which cause dust pollution) must take place under cover or indoors under controlled
conditions. Collected waste must be handled as hazardous waste.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 23. The tour operator must provide to employees and tourists only environmentallyfriendly toiletries. All toiletries on the tourism boat must be biodegradable.
All personal care products that are used on the tourism boat and in the buildings (e.g. soap,
shampoo, lotions, etc.) must be environmentally friendly. On the boat, all toiletries must be
biodegradable. It is furthermore recommended to install dosing systems to limit the use of theseproducts.
On tours that include activities in the water, environmentally friendly sunscreen should be provided
to tourists.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

24. Sustainable means of transportation must be promoted whenever advising tourists and staff
as to how to get to the tourism boat or the ticket office.
The tour operator must encourage the use of sustainable transportation to and from the harbour
where the boat is located. It should therefore provide tourists and staff with the necessary
information (e.g. bus schedules, group pick-up services, etc.) Information regarding sustainabletransportation must also be available on the website of the tour operator.
Sustainable transportation can also be promoted through the availability of bicycles for rent andthe provision of a bike rack.
Since this criterion is in accordance with Local Agenda 21 activities, the tour operator is encouraged
to collaborate, or work with, local authorities and/or local Agenda 21 groups regarding compliancewith this criterion.
20

IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 25. The relevant authorities must be notified immediately regarding accidents thatmight cause environmental damage.
If an accident does occur on the boat, or if the crew notices an accident on another boat or facility,
which might cause environmental damage, it must be reported immediately to the relevant
authorities to minimise the negative impacts on the environment.
Relevant authorities include local authorities, fire-fighting brigade, Red Cross, environmental
authorities, port authority, etc.
An emergency plan for accidents onboard that might negatively affect the environment must be
available on the boat in line with criterion 32.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 26. Speed and engine maintenance must be aimed at maximising energy efficiency andminimising pollution.
The tourism boat must be operated in such a way as to use as little energy as possible. To meet thiscriterion routes should be planned prior to each tour to avoid unnecessary detours. The engine
should be switched off whenever appropriate (depending on the engine system and the conditionat sea) and unnecessarily increase in speed should be avoided.
Engines must be maintained on a regular basis to ensure their efficiency.
The use of electric engines in addition to propane outboard engines is recommended for boats withoutboard engines. Furthermore, propeller guards should be used whenever possible.
It is also recommended to use filtering systems for oil and other liquids which allow their reuse.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 27. Anchoring restrictions must be respected. If available, mooring buoys must be used
to protect the seabed. If no mooring buoys are available, the tourism boat must only anchor in
insensitive grounds.
Incautious anchoring may have severe effects on the seabed, especially if sensitive seafloors like
coral reefs or seagrass meadows are affected. Therefore, the crew must be well-informed regarding
the characteristics of the sea bed, and any anchorage must be carefully chosen.

21International and national laws and regulations must be respected, and any violation of these byother boats should be reported to the responsible authorities.
Mooring buoys are a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to individual anchoring. Whenavailable in the area of operation of the boat, therefore, they should be given preference.
If no mooring buoys are available, the boat should always prefer to anchor in insensitive grounds
like sand, mud, etc. The tour operator is responsible for encouraging the relevant local authorities
or sanctuary managers to install mooring buoys.
Furthermore, to prevent the anchor chain from dragging over the seabed, fenders can be attached
to buoy the chain and to lift the anchor chain from the seabed.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 28. After the life service of a tourism boat has been reached, it must be disposed of inaccordance with national regulations.
The tour operator is responsible for the correct and environmental sound disposal of its boats thathave reached the end of their life service. Until the boat is transported to a licensed recycling
facility, the tour operator must ensure that it is maintained in such a condition that it does not haveany negative effects on the environment (e.g. there are no oil leaks while it is still in the water). If thecondition of a boat poses danger to the environment, it must be removed from the water and stored
in a safe area.
If the boat is not regularly monitored, the tour operator must ensure that it is inaccessible tounauthorised persons and that all hazardous wastes and substances are removed.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

29. Noise pollution from the tourism boat must be minimised.
The tour operator is responsible for keeping the noise level under and above the water surface at aminimum so as not to disturb wildlife, residents or other users in the operating area. All national andlocal laws and regulations on noise pollution must be strictly followed.
In certain areas and situations all music, audio announcements or other noises should be reduced
or completely switched off, for example in densely populated areas, in direct vicinity of wild animals,
during certain times of the day etc. The tour operator has to assess all of its tours and activities inregard to noise nuisance and determine when and where the reduction of noise or the complete
prohibition of noise is necessary. The assessment could be done together with relevant
stakeholders like local resident associations, scientists, nature conservation organisations, tourism
associations etc.

22During the assessment, both the actual noise level (measured in decibel) and the perceived noiselevel (expressed by passengers, residents etc.) should be used as indicators to assess if the noiselevel on the boat is tolerable.
To keep the underwater noise at a minimum, the engine or the engine room should be equipped withsoundproofing material and/or mufflers. Unnecessary speeding up of the engines must be avoided.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 30. Best environmental practice should also be adopted in the tour operator’s buildings
and facilities that are not open to the public.
Blue Flag accredited tour operators should aim to make all of their facilities and operations
environmentally friendly. For that reason, it is highly recommended that the tour operator also
apply all criteria regarding the equipment and maintenance of the publicly accessible buildings to
those that are not open to the public.
If the tour operator chooses to comply with this criterion, there has to be an environmental plan foreach building in line with criterion 10.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll operators

23

SAFETY AND SERVICES
Criterion 31. Adequate and well-signposted lifesaving, first-aid and fire-fighting equipment must
be present on the tourism boat. This equipment must be approved by relevant national
authorities.
When addressing good safety practices on the boat, it is valuable to distinguish between the
different roles and the different types of action to be taken:-

The tourists versus the crew
Prevention measures versus rescue/emergency measures

Accident prevention is paramount for safety. To help prevent accidents, the tour operator mustensure that all its the boat facilities are properly maintained, that national legislation is followed,
and that staff and tourists are well informed and/or trained around safety issues. Each crew
member must know which role he or she should take in an emergency situation on board.
It is also recommended that a risk assessment of the boats is undertaken to examine potential safetyissues (e.g. for the determination of emergency gathering points on board).
The tour operator should provide life vests for every passenger on board. They should always beoffered to children.
The boats must be equipped with the necessary technical means and equipment to deal with any
accident that might occur on board. For large boats with more than two decks it is recommended
that every crew member is equipped with a radio to facilitate the communication if an accident
occurs.
Lifesaving equipment
The following general guidelines must be followed when considering water safety on the boats:-

A person who falls in the water should be able to get out of the water.
A person must be able to help or rescue a distressed person in the water without risking his
or her own life.

The lifesaving equipment on board must include an adequate number of man overboard rescue
devices, like lifebuoys or safety ladders, as well as an adequate number of rescue boats, if applicable.
The lifesaving equipment must comply with national or international standards and should beapproved by the national lifesaving body. The equipment must be available in adequate numbers,
easy to identify (well-signposted) and easily accessible from all over the boat. The placement ofequipment on the boat must be in compliance with national or international legislation.
Fire-fighting equipment
The fire-fighting equipment on the boat must, at the least, include fire extinguishers, but could also
include water hoses, fire carpets, etc. The fire-fighting equipment must be approved by the national
firefighting association/organisation/authority, or comply with national or international standards.
24

The equipment must be available in adequate numbers, easy to identify (well-signposted) and easily
accessible from all over the boat. The placement of equipment must also be in compliance withnational legislation.
First aid equipment
The content of a first-aid equipment box must comply with national legislation or meet thestandards set by a national or international lifesaving association. The contents of the first-aid box
must be regularly checked, and items must be replaced when necessary. The availability andlocation of the first aid equipment must be very clearly signposted on the boat.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 32. Emergency plans for different possible kinds of accidents must be produced. The
crew must be trained on these emergency plans on a regular basis.
If an accident or emergency does occur, the tour operator must have the necessary organisational
means or emergency plans on hand to deal with it.
The tour operator must have an emergency plan available that states what to do in cases of pollution(e.g. oil leaks), fire, man overboard situations, stranding, leaking or other possible accidents
affecting the safety of the passengers, the crew and the environment. The crew onboard must be
informed about the emergency plans.
The emergency plan should (at least) include the following:-

Identification of the people to contact in case of an accident
Involvement of administration services and necessary intervening persons
Procedures for the protection, rescue or evacuation of people on the boat or in the water
Procedures of public warning and information

The emergency plans should be revised yearly. Emergency trainings should be offered to the crewat least once per month. New employees must be educated about the emergency plans prior to thecommencement of work.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 33. Safety precautions and information must be presented on the tourism boat.
Accident prevention is paramount for safety. In most cases, accidents that occur could have been
prevented by the people involved. Thus, safety information and education for the crew andpassengers are very important.

25

Safety advices that address the general behaviour on board (how to move safely around the boat,
what to do when feeling seasick, responsible behaviour during hot weather, guidance regarding theconsumption of alcohol onboard) must be presented verbally by the guide or another crew member
and must be included in the code of conduct (see criterion 2).
In addition, the following safety precautions have to be presented by the guide or another crew
member and must include (at least) the following:-

Information about the location of lifesaving, fire-fighting and first-aid equipment
Details on how to warn other people about an unsafe / man overboard situation and how to
help
Information about the location of the sanitary facilities
Information about the location of gathering points in case of an emergency

On small boats, it is sufficient if the guide educates the passengers regarding the safety precautions.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 34. If the tour operator offers alcohol on its tourism boats, it has to be done in a
responsible manner.
Tour operators that offer alcohol during their tours have to have the necessary permissions, if
applicable and respect national legislation on the minimum legal drinking age. Staff serving alcoholmust not permit intoxication of consumers to the extent that it could compromise the safety ofthemselves or any other person on the boat.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 35. Sanitary facilities must be available to the tourists. They must be clean, wellsignposted and the access must be safe. Drinking water must be provided on the tourism boat.
The sanitary facilities onboard and in the tour operator’s buildings must be in good condition andwell-signposted. They must be equipped with washbasins, soap and either clean towels (paper orcloth) or a hand-dryer. The sanitary facilities must be kept clean at all times. The frequency ofmonitoring and cleaning of the facilities must reflect the intensity of their use. Access to the sanitaryfacilities must be safe.
In the case that a tourist is in urgent need of drinking water (e.g. for the preparation of baby food, incase of dehydration, seasickness etc.), it must be made available free of charge. If the tap water inthe sanitary facilities is not potable, water dispensers or bottled water should be available for thatcase.
If there are no sanitary facilities on the boat, the tour operator must inform passengers of this prior
to their booking. In that case, there must be sanitary facilities nearby the point of departure that26

passengers may use (public toilets at the harbour, in the ticket office, etc.) Additionally, if the size ofthe boat does not allow the transportation of drinking water, passengers should be allowed to bring
their own non-alcoholic beverages and should be informed about it prior to the booking.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 36. Facilities for people with disabilities should be in place.
Dependent on the design and size of the boat and the place of embarkation, facilities for people withdisabilities should be available.
They should include:-

Access to the boat for people with disabilities
Special car parking facilities for people with disabilities
Access to sanitary facilities for people with disabilities

All access and facilities for people with disabilities must comply with all national and international
regulations/standards. Toilets should be designed for wheelchair users and other users withdisabilities. It is recommended that a local disability organisation assess these facilities to ensurethat they are sound.
If access to the boats for people with disabilities is limited, the tour operator should inform its
customers of this prior to booking. The tour operator is obliged to refuse to take people withdisabilities on board if there are major safety concerns.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll operators

Criterion 37. Adequate signage indicating the location of the different facilities must be postedon the tourism boat.
Adequate signage indicating the facilities onboard the boat must be posted on the boat. The signage
should be of good quality, easy to read and properly orientated.
Pictograms should preferably be used. The required elements (where applicable) should show thelocation of:-Lifesaving equipment
First aid equipment
Emergency gathering points
Emergency exits
Firefighting equipment
Smoking areas--

Toilets (including toilets forpeople with disabilities)
Access points (including accesspointsforpeoplewithdisabilities)
Recycling facilities
Catering facilities

For larger boats, a map indicating the location of the named facilities is also recommended.
27

Small boats are exempted from this criterion.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

28

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Criterion 38. Discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, origin or religious
affiliation should not be accepted within the tour operator.
This criterion aims at promoting equality and encouraging the tour operator to foster the rights ofall social groups. In an international economic environment, of which tourism is a part, it is importantto respect other cultures and to promote positive encounters between all kinds of people.
Discrimination should be particularly avoided:- in the hiring of new employees- among employees- in interaction with tourists
The head of the tour operator or company should encourage his/her employees to report any casesof discrimination and to facilitate the resolution of the situation.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 39. The tour operator is in compliance with international and national labour
legislation.
The tour operator ensures that it follows all national and international conventions and regulations
on labour, including conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organization.
At a minimum, the following requirements must be met:---

All employees receive information in writing (contract) stating the employment conditions,
including information about working hours, insurance and salary
All employees are paid at least a living wage, and the salary must not be below the legal
minimum salary in the country
The tour operator must adjust the salaries of its employees to their level of experience andresponsibility. The gender of the employees must not be relevant to the determination ofsalaries
All employees receive information about the working code of conduct/policies of the tour
operator, and employees also receive information about the procedure for raisingconcerns/complaints
no person younger than the legal working age can be hired

IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

29

Criterion 40. The tour operator should support the local economy by choosing to buy and use
local products.
The tour operator should try to contribute to the local socio-economic environment inwhich they operate, whenever possible. By choosing to buy and use local products, they not
only support the local economy, and therefore increase the welfare of the community in situ,
but also make an environmentally responsible choice in terms of shorter transportationroutes of products, etc.
Therefore, crew and staff members are also encouraged to promote only local products andservices to tourists, which are considered to be sustainable and beneficial to the local
community.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll operators

41. The tour operator actively supports local sustainability activities or initiatives ofenvironmental/social organisations or of other groups in the local community.
To support and promote sustainable development in the local community, the tour operator
cooperates with environmental/social organisations or special interest groups.
This includes, e.g.:-Conservation organisations
Humanitarian organisations
Disability organisations
Local schools or other educational institutions
Indigenous groups
Local producers
Restoration activities
Clean-ups organised by a local stakeholder

IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll operators

42. Materials, equipment and furniture that are no longer used are collected and donated tocharitable organisations
In case of the refurbishment of the boats and/or the buildings, or whenever materials, equipment
or furniture are no longer needed, the tour operator explores what is still in good condition/usable,
and donates it to a charitable organisation or persons in need.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll operators
30

RESPONSIBLE OPERATION AROUND WILD ANIMALS
Criterion 43. Vulnerable and protected areas must be respected.
Boating operators must be aware of, and well-informed about, any protected or sensitive areas
which lie within its area of operation. All regulations in place must be followed, and any violationsof these by other boats must be reported to the relevant authorities. Fees incurred through the useof the protected area or sanctuary must be respected.
In some protected areas or sanctuaries, closing seasons are imposed to respect the breeding or
mating seasons of certain species. If the area of operation lies within a sanctuary or protected areathat employs such closing seasons, the tour operator must respect these periods and adjust its
activities accordingly.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 44. Any wildlife must be approached at a slow speed and in a manner that allows thewild animal(s) to evaluate the situation. They must not be encircled, trapped or chased.
Any boat from the tour operator should always approach wild animals very cautiously. They should
approach them with a slow, constant, no-wake speed, which generally does not exceed 5 knots, andhold a steady course without abrupt changes in direction.
Furthermore, the boats should:
–
–
–
–
–

try to make sure that all boats present stay on the same side of the wild animal(s)avoid trapping wild animals between boats and any other physical barriers (e.g. islands,
coastline, reefs, etc.)
not chase after wild animals, but let them approach the boat voluntarily
not approach wild animals directly from behind or from the front
not cut off a wild animal’s path, or force them in a particular direction

The boats should maintain a minimum distance from all wild animals encountered during a tour. The
minimum distance from the wild animals is defined in the additional criteria for wildlife watchingactivities (see below). If Blue Flag does not provide guidelines in one of the other sets of criteria for
tourism boats, the appropriate minimum distance from other species should be determined withthe advice of scientists, local environmental organisations, local or national guidelines, theprotected area management, etc.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

31

Criterion 45. Special precaution must be taken in the vicinity of breeding wild animals. Younganimals must not be separated from their group.
When approaching a group of wild animals, it should be assessed whether there are any juveniles or
breeding individuals present. If this is the case, the boat should increase its distance from the groupand observe whether there are any signs of disturbances while present. If the breeding individuals
or parents do show a change in behaviour in response to the presence of the boat, the area shouldbe left immediately.
In general, breeding grounds should be avoided whenever possible. The crew should be wellinformed about breeding seasons, breeding areas, and the distinct behaviour of breeding
individuals so that they can identify them quickly.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 46. When in the direct vicinity of any wildlife, noise must be reduced to a minimum andthe engine should be put into neutral whenever appropriate.
Loud and/or sudden noises may alarm the wild animals and may lead to their fleeing. Therefore, allsources of noise should be switched off during a close encounter whenever possible.
The guides onboard should advise tourists not to shout or to make any other noises in the direct
vicinity of the wild animals, prior to the encounter.
The engine should be put into neutral or switched off whenever possible during an encounter.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 47. The tour operator is responsible for advising tourists not to touch or collect living
wild animals and plants.
Tour operators carry the responsibility for instructing their tourists not to make physical contact
with wild animals or plants. The staff of the tour operator isn’t allowed to make physical contact
with wild animals and plants either.
There are three exceptions to this criterion:-

Recreational fishing boats (see the additional criteria for recreational fishing boats forfurther information).
During the rescue of wild animals
Physical contact for research purposes (tagging, sampling, etc.). However, only accredited
researchers and their assistants are permitted to touch or collect the objects ofinvestigation.

32

IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll operators
Criterion 48. Tourists and employees must not feed wild animals.
The feeding of wild animals can severely influence their natural feeding behaviour and lead to theirconditioning. This can potentially affect not only the specific animal or group but the entire
ecosystem by unbalancing the food web. Furthermore, the association of humans with food mightlead to an increase in aggressive behaviour, which could threaten the safety of staff and tourists.
The tour operator is therefore obliged to advise tourists not to feed wild animals or to throw
anything overboard that could be assumed to be food by the wild animals.
The use of fish oil or similar attractants like minced fish meat (known as chum), as well as otherbaiting methods that do not actually provide for the alimentation of the wild animals, however, areallowed. Tour operators that make use of such attractants must inform their tourists about thispractice, and must record the amount and type of attractants used in the environmental plan.
Only recreational fishing boats are excluded from this criterion. See further information about the baitingon these boats in the additional criteria for recreational fishing boats.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 49. If there are any signs of disturbance, the boat must increase its distance to the wild
animals.
Different species of wild animals will react differently to the presence of boats. If an animal’s
behaviour shows signs of disturbance, the boat should increase its distance significantly or leave
the area.
Depending on the species, signs of disturbance may include:––––

exclamation of warning sounds
abrupt changes in direction
unusual diving behaviour
abandonment of resting or breeding grounds

The guide and captain of the boat must be aware of the specific signs of disturbance of therespective species that can be spotted in the observation area and should be able to distinguish thewild animals’ natural behaviour from reactions caused by the presence of boats.
If signs of disturbances are observed, the boat should increase its distance until the individuals
resume their usual behaviour. Otherwise, the boat should leave the area completely.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

33

Criterion 50. The tour operator should be open to cooperation with research institutions. The
company’s boats might function as a research platform, and collected data of wildlife sightings
should be made available to researchers.
Research is a key instrument for developing and managing responsible wildlife watching activities.
The tourism industry can only better its practices and products to make them more environmentallyfriendly and sustainable if there is sufficient evidence on how human interactions affect theenvironment and the local wildlife.
The tour operator is therefore encouraged to cooperate with universities and other research
institutions. This cooperation may encompass:––allowing researchers to use tour boats as research platforms
creating databases of sightings (photos, countings, etc.) and making them available toscientists and the public

However, the tour operator must also ensure that its tourists are not negatively affected by thepresence of researchers or research equipment.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONGUIDELINE CRITERIONAll operators

Criterion 51. Injured, entangled, stranded or dead wild animals must be reported to the local
authorities.
If an injured, entangled, stranded or dead animal is spotted, a crew member should report thesighting to the responsible authorities immediately. It is recommended to have a list of the contact
details of these authorities available and easily accessible onboard.
Possible responsible authorities could include local environmental authorities, the port authority,
the management of the protected area, etc.
Injured, entangled or stranded wild animals must not be touched or collected. Only authorised
persons should take care of them.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION34

APPENDICESAPPENDIX A: Dispensation cases
All imperative criteria must be complied with in order to obtain the Blue Flag. In the event of
discussions arising out of the National Jury processes, or cases in which an applicant has failed tofulfil the imperative criteria, the National Jury can forward a tourism boat to the International Juryas a dispensation case. In the case of an application requiring a dispensation, the National Jury must
forward the case to the International Jury with the necessary background documentation and an
explanation as to what imperative criteria have not been fulfilled, giving reasons as to why adispensation is requested.
A tourism boat can apply for dispensation when:- facilities are under construction at the time of the application but will be completed by the start ofthe operating season.
- the size and/or design of the boat does not allow for compliance with a criterion.
- The activity offered on the boat does not require the presence of a guide.
- the waste management in the respective country does not allow for the recycling of different kindsof waste.
- the facilities in the harbour where the tour operator is located do not allow for compliance with acriterion.
- the tour operator shares the ticket office with other companies/organisations, such that theirinfluence on the environmental management of the building is limited.
If there are national third party entities that check the existence of the licences mentioned undercriterion 11, a statement from the respective entity can be delivered as a proof of compliance. The
National Operator, as well as the International Jury, have to approve this statement and the waythat the checks are handled by the national third party. References to national and local laws are
not sufficient to prove compliance with this criterion.

35

APPENDIX B: Guideline and template for the code of conduct[Criterion 2]
General comments:- Preferably use pictograms, graphics and cartoons where possible to get the attention of the
tourists.
- In destinations with many international tourists, it is recommended to translate the code of
conduct in relevant languages- All information must be included in ONE code of conduct.
- Use the correct Blue Flag logo
- The four points below have to be included in the code of conduct. However, you arewelcome to add more points which are of importance to you.
•the adequate disposal of litter- where are the bins?
- Remind customers not to throw anything overboard- Explain which kind of recycling you have (maybe add a picture of the symbols on the bins
and explain them)- Encourage tourists to reuse cups and plates, if applicable•

The smoking policy onboard- Preferably use international pictograms- If smoking is allowed, add where to find the smoking areas and where to put the cigarettebutts- Add information about the impact of cigarette butts on the environment like, e.g. “Cigarettebutts are made out of plastic (cellulose acetate) and need 1-5 years to degrade. Unknowing
marine animals might consume them and die due to choking or starvation. Please dispose ofyour cigarette butts responsibly.”•

Safety instructions- How to behave in an emergency situation (e.g. throwing a life ring to people who fell
overboard)- How to move safely on the boat (walking down the stairs backwards, holding on to rails inheavy sea conditions etc.)- What to do when feeling seasick- If boat operates in locations with a lot of sun, remind people to drink enough and sunbath
responsibly•

Appropriate behaviour during an encounter with wild animals, if applicable- No feeding- No touching- No collecting- Depending on the species, add more advices
36

Blue Flag’s Code of Conduct

Reduce, reuse, recycle!
We at (Company Name) do our best to keep our environment clean. Please help us to do so andprotect nature!
• Please never throw anything over board! You find our litter bins (Location)• We recycle (Name types of recycling, insert pictures or use colour code):
Paper
Plastic
General Waste• (if applicable) You want a refill? Please reuse your cup!

Our smoking policy
Smoking is not allowed on our boats(Otherwise explain where to find the smoking area)

Safety first! (add all relevant info, e.g.:)
•
•
•
•
•
•

Move carefully around the boat, the floor might be slippery!
Hold on the rails in heavy weather conditions!
Please go down the steep stairs backwards!
Feeling seasick? Go on deck, breathe deeply, and fix your gaze on the horizon
The consumption of alcohol is not allowed on board (if applicable)
All children under (years) have to wear life vests!

Meet our neighbours – responsibly
We would like to offer you the most authentic encounter with our wildlife while having the least
negative effect on it. For that reason please:• Don’t feed wild animals• Don’t touch wild animals• Don’t collect any wild animals, plants, rocks or other things you find during the tour
• During close encounters, don’t scream, shout, or try to get the attention of the wild animals
in other ways
• (Depending on the species, add more advices)37

APPENDIX C: Information about the Blue Flag programme must be displayed.
[Criterion 3]
THE BLUE FLAG PROGRAMMEThis tour operator has been awarded the Blue Flag. The Blue Flag is a voluntary award, given to
tourism boats that make a special effort to protect the environment. To attain the Blue Flag, thetour operator must fulfil a number of criteria covering:- Environmental Education and Information- Environmental Management- Safety and Services- Social Responsibility- Responsible Operation around Wild Animals
By choosing a Blue Flag awarded tourism boat you contribute to the sustainable use of marine andfreshwater environments, and encourage the wider tourism sector to put more efforts inminimising the negative effect recreational activities can have on the environment.
Facts about the Blue Flag:
The Blue Flag is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a nongovernmental environmental organisation, and is represented by such national organisations ineach of the participating countries.
The Blue Flag is an environmental award for beaches, marinas and tourism boats. The criteria forBlue Flag tourism boats cover five main areas: a) Environmental Education, b) Environmental
Management, c) Safety and Services, d) Social Responsibility and e) Responsible Operation around
Wild Animals, as well as additional special criteria tailored for different boat-based tourism
activities.
The criteria of the Programme are developed over time, such that participating tour operators must
continually work to solve relevant environmental problems to attain the Blue Flag. Blue Flagaccreditation is only given for one year at a time, and the award is only valid as long as the criteria
are fulfilled. When this is not the case, the responsible persons at the local level are obligated totake the Blue Flag down.
The national FEE organisation, as well as the international FEE head-office, checks the Blue Flagsites and tourism boats during the season by conducting both announced and unannounced control
visits.
You can also help the Programme by taking actions to protect the environment:
Use the litter bins provided and recycle waste if possible.
Use public transport, walk or rent a bike to get to your destination.
Enjoy nature and treat it with respect.
Choose a holiday destination that cares for its environment, and, if possible, and environmentallyfriendly hotel. Along with the Blue Flag, the Foundation for Environmental Education also
administers an eco-label specifically for accommodations: Green Key.
38

Local, National and International Blue Flag responsible parties:
The name and address of the local responsible person, national Blue Flag operator and Blue Flag
International must be posted.
Text to accompany the names and addresses could be the following: “These are the names andaddresses of the local, national and international Blue Flag contacts. You are welcome to contact us
to give us feedback about your experience with this Blue Flag awarded tourism operator. By doingso, you can help to ensure that Blue Flag remains an award of excellence.

39

APPENDIX D: Guidelines for Environmental Education Activities.

[Criterion 4]

All activities organised by the tour operator must have an environmental educational background.
They must focus on environmental issues and the communication of sustainable and responsible
behaviour and practices. The environmental background of the activities should be evident to theparticipants.
Types of Activities within the operating season (at least one organised in each operating season)
There must be a mixture of different types of environmental educational activities provided for
different user groups if more than one activity has to be offered during the year. The different typesof activities can be divided into four categories:
Activities for Passive Participation: This could include changing environment-related exhibitions;films; presentations; slide shows; conferences; debates; presentations by international experts; etc.
Activities for Active Participation: This includes educational games in the harbour/on the website;theatre/plays; cleaning days; guided underwater clean-ups; photography or drawing contests;
nature reconstruction projects; green technology projects; etc.
Training Activities: This could include training for teachers; people in charge of children or students
groups; specific national training programmes; educational visits to schools/universities; etc.
Publishing and Media: This category includes interviews with regional, national or international
radio or television stations about environmental issues or nature protection; the production ofbooks or information brochures about local environmental issues; the publishing of educational
online games and quizzes; etc.
Target groups
The activities provided should target a wide range of different groups. It is important that the tour
operator organises a programme to educate and raise awareness within the many different interest
groups that influence the use of the local environment. These interest groups could be visitors,
locals, tourism employees, fishermen, local industries, etc. The number and kind of activities andgroups targeted should be appropriate to the situation and local context. For example, in a major
tourist destination, more than one activity per season should be available to the general public.
Connection with existing programmes
The activities can be incorporated into pre-existing environmental education programmes, held
either on-site or in the local community (Local Agenda 21 activities, Eco-Schools activities, etc.). It
is also recommended that the tour operator works together with local NGOs in establishing andrunning educational activities.
Information about Activities
Information about publicly accessible activities must be made available at the ticket office, on thewebsite of the tour operator, and preferably also in tourist offices and tourism
40newspapers/magazines. The published information should include: what kind of activities areavailable, when and where are they are to take place, who the target audiences are, etc.
Not Acceptable
Activities that are not acceptable for meeting this criterion are:-Activities that are run purely in order to meet other Blue Flag criteria
Activities focusing only on tourism without a specific focus on sustainable tourism
Activities focusing only on the promotion of the tour operator

41

APPENDIX E: List of information the guide must provide before or during a tour
[Criterion 7]
The following topics must be included in the information the guide presents before or during a tour.
These are only the minimum requirements of Blue Flag.
-

Safety advices• How to move safely on the boat
• What to do when feeling seasick• Responsible behaviour in hot weather (if applicable to the location)• guidance regarding the consumption of alcohol on board-

Safety precautions• Where to find the sanitary facilities• Where to find safety equipment• How to behave in a man overboard situation• Where to find the emergency gathering points-

Code of conduct• Smoking policy• Appropriate behaviour during an encounter with wild animals, if applicable (nofeeding, no touching, reduction of noise, etc.)• Appropriate behaviour when approaching residential areas (no shouting, no musicetc.), if applicable• Location of litter bins and recycling policy on board-

Information about the operating area/environment• Information about the marine protected area (if applicable)• Special natural characteristics of the area (topography, vegetation, etc.)• Cultural assets in the operating area
• Detailed information about the species which might be seen during a tour-

Information about human-caused threats to the local environment and species, if applicable• Special focus on marine litter (e.g. the degradation time of different materials)

42

APPENDIX F: Tools for establishing environmental goals[Criterion 10]

To comply with criterion 9, the tour operator has to fill in the following sheet:
Goal

Name of the Timeframe
boat/building

Responsible
personExpectedoutcome

To replace plastic Seaflower
cups with paper
cups

Week 24

Anna

Reduction of theuse of plastic

Installwater- Office building
saving taps

June 2016

Chris

Reducewater
consumption

43

APPENDIX G: Blacklist of cleaning products[Criterion 21]

This Blacklist is prepared by the consultant organisation, Ecoconso.
It covers multi-purpose and sanitation products (typically cleaning products). For cleaning anyother specific areas that require special products, one must check for compliance with national
legislation.
Surfactants:
Surfactants that are not readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions.
Surfactants that are not biodegradable under anaerobic conditions and that are classified as
H400/R50 (Very toxic to aquatic life), Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs), only phenol ethoxylates(NPEOs) and derivatives Quaternary ammonium compounds that are not readily biodegradable.
Sequestering or anti-scaling agents:
EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetate) and its salts, phosphates
Acids:
Phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid
Bases:
Ammonium hydroxide
Solvents:
Detergents containing more than 6% by weight of VOCs with a boiling point lower than 150°C
Chlorine:
Reactive chloro-compounds (such as sodium hypochloride)
Conservators:
Formaldehyde
Antimicrobial or disinfecting ingredients added for other purposes than preservation.
Bioaccumulable preservatives classified as H410, H411, R50/53 or R51/53. Preservatives are notregarded as bioaccumulable if BCF<100 (bioconcentration factor) or logKow < 3 (log octanolwaterpartition coefficient).

In addition, Blue Flag recommends the use of the SIN List for hazardous chemicals of ChemSec tocheck the toxicity of certain ingredients: http://sinlist.chemsec.org/

44

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR BIRD WATCHING BOATS
Criterion 52. Boats must not drive through clusters of birds.
A minimum distance of 50m should be maintained from flocks of concentrated birds with boats 25m
or greater and 30m for smaller boats. When within 100m of the targeted birds, the speed should be
reduced to a no-wake speed and noise should be kept to a minimum. This will minimise disturbanceof the birds and reduces stress.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll bird watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 53. It is not allowed to use playbacks of bird calls to attract them.
Playbacks can disrupt natural behaviour and lead to the abandoning of nests. Therefore, tour
operators with the Blue Flag accreditation are not permitted to use any bird call playbacks.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll bird watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 54. Flash photography must be avoided.
Mass flash photography should be avoided as it may distract the observed birdlife, especially during
feeding.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll bird watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 55. Birds must not be spotlighted with torches or other illuminants.
Strong illumination, especially of nesting birds, should be avoided during times of low light. This may
cause birds to leave their nests and induce egg failure. However, the guide and the crew on the boat
are responsible for informing the tourists that this practice is not allowed on the boats that areawarded the Blue Flag.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll bird watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 56. It is not allowed to flash birds to get a better view of them.
It is prohibited to throw any objects at birds, to splash them with water or to use loud noises toreceive their attention or to make them take flight to get a better view on them.

45

IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll bird watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

46

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR CAGE DIVING BOATS
Criterion 57. The cage used for cage diving must be designed in such a way that it neither poses a
danger to the people in the cage nor to the sharks outside the cage. The gaps between the railings
must be so narrow that no shark of any size is able to enter the cage.
The tour operator has to ensure that neither the users nor the wild animals which approach the boat
can hurt themselves on the cages. Sharp parts or edges of the cage should be covered or rounded
off, and it should be ensured that no person or shark becomes entangled in ropes or chains that trail
from the cage. There must not be any object in the cage that is not needed during a dive. It also has
to be ensured that sharks do not get caught between the boat and the cage.
Cage diving tour operators furthermore have to make sure that their cages are designed in a way
which makes it impossible for the sharks to enter the cage. Juvenile sharks should not be able toswim through the railings. Therefore, the gaps between the railings should not exceed 350mm.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll cage diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 58. It must be secured that the cage is properly attached to the boat.
The cage must be attached to the boat with suitable equipment. Prior to every dive, the crew has tocheck if the connecting elements are intact and that the mechanisms to place the cage into thewater work properly.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll cage diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 59. All entry points to the cage must be lockable with a door or portal. The access to thecage must be safe.
To prevent that sharks enter the cage accidentally by jumping out of the water, all entry points must
be covered and locked during the dive.
Furthermore, it must be ensured that the users have safe access to the cage and that it is easy toleave the cage in the case of an emergency.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll cage diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 60. Protected species must not be used for baiting.
It is not allowed to use protected species or parts of protected species for the baiting of sharks. The
tour operator has to take records about the type and amount of bait used to prove that no protected
species are processed for the production of bait.

47

IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll cage diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 61. Decoys used for attracting sharks have to be designed in such a way that they do notpose a danger to the wild animals.
Tour operators who use man-made decoys to attract sharks have to ensure that they do not hurt
the wild animals. They should be made out of soft materials and must not have sharp edges. The
decoy should only be used for a limited time, which should not exceed 20 minutes per shark.
Furthermore, the decoy should not be pulled directly to the cage to avoid that sharks strike the cageor the boat.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll cage diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 62. In a predation situation, the boat must not cut off the path of the prey. It is notallowed to approach any predation closer than 50m. No more than two boats are allowed to bewithin 100m of a predation.
It must be ensured that the boat does not interfere with the natural hunting behaviour of the sharks.
For that reason, they have to keep their distance and reduce their speed in the vicinity of a predation
situation. It is recommended to approach a predation at a speed which does not exceed 10 knots
when within 100m of such an event.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll cage diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 63. If there is more than one cage diving boat within a radius of 300m of a shark, theboat has to slow down to a speed which should not exceed 10 knots.
To minimise the chance of boat strikes with sharks that have been attracted by other cage divingboats, the speed should be reduced to 10 knots or less within a radius of 300m of a shark or a groupof sharks.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll cage diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

48

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR RECREATIONAL DIVING BOATS
Criterion 64. Only qualified dive masters with a valid certification must be hired to conduct diving
tours.
All dive masters have to hold a valid dive master licences which has been issued by an accredited
training organisation and which is recognised by the local authorities. If the dive master is not a local
resident, he/she has to familiarise his-/herself with the dive site and the dive equipment before
guiding dive groups.
If the tour operator offers beginner’s courses, only certified diving instructors are allowed to run
them.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 65. Prior to the dive, the divers have to be briefed on the dive site and about
environmentally friendly diving techniques.
Divers have to be informed about the characteristics of the dive site, about possible encounterswith marine wildlife and about environmentally friendly diving techniques and behaviours.
Environmentally friendly diving techniques which should be recommended to the tourists
encompass (in addition to criteria 44-49):--

to make sure that no diving equipment gets in contact with the living or dead environment
not to hold onto any natural object in the water. To support this, divers shouldn’t wear
gloves which may encourage them to hold onto sharp objects like rocks or corals.
not to stir the seabed with the fins.
not to leave any objects or litter at the dive site. Furthermore, divers should be encouraged
to collect any waste they find during their dive and bring it to the boat where the crew takes
care of the correct disposal
not to pursue, trap or cut off the way of any animal and let the wild animals approach themvoluntarily
to avoid flash photography

If the dive trip includes visits to sensitive cultural heritage, the divers have to be briefed on thecorrect, acceptable behaviour during the visit of these sites. Dives to cultural heritage like
submerged ruins or statues as well as shipwrecks should be prepared carefully, and the divemasters should educate the divers about the distance they have to keep from the objects andhow to move in or around the objects. In addition, they should tell them to respect all safetymeasures which are in place to protect the cultural heritage.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

49

Criterion 66. All divers must prove their level of experience with a valid diving certification andhave to complete the appropriate liability and medical statement documents before going on adive trip.
The tour operator has to check that all participants in a dive trip carry a valid diving license and thatthey meet all necessary entry requirements for the particular dive trip including health conditionand experience. All divers have to prove their medical fitness to dive by filling in a medical statement
document. They must also sign a statement of liability which informs them about the possible risks
while diving.
Participants without a diving certification have to take part in a beginner’s course which issupervised by a certified diving instructor.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 67. The size of the diving group must be limited, and diver’s level of experience must be
considered when choosing the dive site and when forming the diving groups.
The tour operator is responsible for organising its dive trips in such a way that it suits the level ofthe participants. Prior to the dive, divers should be asked about the number of dives they have done
as well as about the different types of conditions they have previously experienced and trained for.
The dive master then carries the responsibility to determine the appropriate size of the diving groupduring a dive trip. Considerations about the age and the medical condition of the participants, thelevel of experience and the conditions at the dive site should be taken into account when
determining the size of the group. There must always be an adequate number of dive masters on
board.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 68. Dive sites must be switched on a regular basis to prevent their overuse. Diveoperators should choose their diving spots in cooperation with the local authorities and local
environmental experts.
The sustainable use of sensitive dive sites is vital for their subsistence. Tour operators should put
the greatest possible effort in preventing them from being overused by cooperating with local
experts and other diving companies and by taking responsible decisions concerning their choice ofdive sites. Tour operators must inform the local authorities about the diving territories theyfrequent and have to follow any advice concerning the use of their dive sites. They should also
coordinate their diving activities with other diving companies which visit the same dive spots to
reduce diving pressure on these sites.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

50

Criterion 69. Water entry points must not be located above sensitive sea beds.
When arriving at the dive site, the boat should not be placed above sensitive sea beds like reefs orseagrass meadows to prevent them from being destroyed when the divers enter the water. The divemaster must ensure that every diver enters the water with caution.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 70. The diving equipment has to be fully operative and must be inspected regularly.
All national regulations concerning the inspection of diving gear have to be respected.
The tour operator has to make sure that the diving equipment offered to divers is fully operative, inthe best possible condition and purchased from an authorised retailer. Before and after every divetrip, the equipment has to be checked for possible defects.
Defective equipment has to be removed from the boats and has to be replaced by properly
functioning diving gear.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 71. A risk assessment has to be conducted for every dive site. Dive masters have to brief
the divers on possible risks prior to every dive trip.
Before offering dive trips to a certain dive location, the tour operator is in charge of conducting arisk assessment for each site. Dive masters, as well as the rest of the crew, must familiarise
themselves with the natural characteristics on-site as well as with possible hazards which are inplace, e.g. currents, dangerous wild animals, confusing cave systems etc.
The information must be recorded and updated whenever changes in conditions occur.
Prior to every dive trip, the dive master has to check the weather conditions and the state at sea. If
there are any doubts regarding the conditions at the dive site the tour operator has to cancel thedive trip.
The dive master is also in charge of educating the divers about possible risks at the dive spot andabout the appropriate behaviour if they encounter a risky situation.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 72. The dive master and the crew onboard must be able to administer first aid in case ofan emergency. First aid training and refresher courses should be repeated at least once a month.

51

On every diving boat which has Blue Flag accreditation, at least the dive master must be able toadminister first aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation). However, it is recommended that allcrew members go through a first aid training with a certified training agency.
The tour operator has to take records about all first aid trainings which have been absolved by its
staff members and should organise refresher trainings at least once a month.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 73. The boat must be equipped with suitable oxygen units and surface signalling devices
according to national regulations. The oxygen and signalling equipment must be accessible at any
time, and the crew onboard must be familiar with the use of the equipment.
All diving boats which have Blue Flag accreditation must be equipped with and adequate number of
emergency and lifesaving equipment in line with criterion 28. In addition, diving boats must provide
oxygen first aid equipment which should only be filled with oxygen in approved facilities.
Divers should be equipped with surface signalling devices (audible and visual) like, e.g. air horns,
whistles, signal lights, inflatable signal tubes etc. so that they can call attention to themselves if they
are in an emergency.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 74. Diver propulsion vehicles must only be used by divers who carry a respective
certification.
It is not allowed to offer diver propulsion vehicles to divers which do not carry a valid license forthese devices. Furthermore, only dive masters who have an appropriate license are allowed to use
DPVs during a dive trip to guide and retain control over the group of divers.
Diver propulsion vehicles include all devices that give divers motorised propulsion underwater. If
not used correctly, divers may lose buoyancy control if they move too quickly upwards or
downwards. Furthermore, they are not beneficial for observing wildlife as the noises andmovements may frighten off wild animals. The use should, therefore, be restricted to diving
activities where these devices are highly beneficial for the safety of the divers.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational diving boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

52

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR RECREATIONAL FISHING BOATS
Criterion 75. All international and national regulations for recreational fishing practices have tobe respected.
The tour operator has to ensure that all the equipment and activities offered to tourists comply withinternational and national legislation. This includes the use of fishing gear, the offered fishingtechniques, catch and release practices, the species of aquatic animals that can be taken, the size
and amount of aquatic animals taken as well as the choice of the operating area among other. If
recreational fishing licenses are required in the respective country, the tour operator has to checkif the tourists are in possession of all relevant licences or certifications prior to the tour.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 76. Endangered and protected species must not be caught.
Species, which are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically-endangered on the IUCN Red Listof Threatened Speciestm must not be caught. If an endangered or protected species is caught
accidentally, it has to be released carefully in line with criterion 80.
The tour operator must provide a list of species that are commonly caught during their trips toprove their knowledge about the status of their targeted species and to prove the compliance withthis criterion.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 77. No-take zones in marine protected areas and nursery grounds have to be respected.
The tour operator has to ensure that all offered fishing activities only take place in areas in which
taking aquatic animals is permitted. Information about no-take zones, nursery grounds and othervulnerable zones in protected areas should be obtained from the marine protected area
management or other local environmental agencies. Employees must be briefed on the respective
zones.
To prove the compliance with this criterion, the tour operator has to present a map which indicatesthe no-take and vulnerable zones in its operating area.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

53

Criterion 78. No more aquatic animals than needed for the private use must be caught.
The taking of fish and other aquatic animals should be restricted to a reasonable amount.
Furthermore, it should be possible for the tourists to take home all of their catch safely.
For that reason, the tour operator should provide adequate storage for the transportation of thecatch like cool boxes, bags or wrapping materials.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 79. The choice of bait must not pose a danger to the local ecosystems.
The introduction of alien species may have severe effects on the local ecosystem as they could
transfer diseases or interfere with the local food web if they spread. For that reason, the tour
operator should only provide bait that is locally obtainable. They should also tell tourists not to use
their own bait, especially if the origin or the species of the bait is unknown.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 80. Caught aquatic animals must be handled in a humane way.
Regardless if the aquatic animal is killed or released after catching it, it has to be treated in a waythat minimises stress and pain. This includes landing the catch as soon as possible and using nets tolift the catch out of the water.
If it is intended to kill the catch, it has to be done as soon as possible after landing it and by using
humane methods.
If the catch is to be released again, the handling time should be reduced to a minimum. It should only
be touched with wet hands or wet cloths and placed on soft and wet surfaces. If feasible, hooks
should be removed when the catch is still in the water to shorten the time it is out of the water. The
catch should never be exposed to direct sunlight. When releasing the catch, it has to be placed
gently into the water. If a fish shows signs of tiredness, it has to be revived by placing it into thewater and moving it forward. In the case that the catch shows severe injuries, it must not be released
but killed in a humane manner.
The staff that is conducting the tours has to be briefed on the humane handling of aquatic animals
and must assist tourists during the trips whenever possible and necessary.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

54

Criterion 81. Fishing equipment must not be abandoned at the fishing sites. Defective fishingequipment must be recycled.
Fishing equipment that cannot be used anymore must be properly recycled. Defective fishingequipment must never be thrown into the water as it represents a major threat to marine wildlife.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 82. Fish waste must be disposed of responsibly.
When cleaning the catch onboard, the fish remains must be disposed of in accordance with nationalor local regulations, but never into stagnant water, harbour water or in bathing areas. The disposalof big amounts of fish waste at one time must be avoided. If suitable, fish waste should be used as
bait for the next fishing trips.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 83. Artisanal, subsistence and commercial fisheries must be respected.
The recreational fishing activities offered must not interfere with local fishing practices that are
exercised for commercial or cultural purposes. The tour operator must adjust its activities and its
operating area accordingly. Respective information should be obtained from the national fishingdepartment or other relevant authorities.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll recreational fishing boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

55

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR SEAL WATCHING BOATS
Criterion 84. Personal watercraft are not permissible for seal watching.
Tour operators offering seal watching tours must not use personal watercraft like jet skis or othertypes of water scooter for their tours.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll seal watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 85. Seals must not be approached closer than 50m. If a seal voluntarily approaches theboat any closer, the engine should be put into neutral until the seal leaves the vicinity of the boat.
The tour operator should be interested in offering tourists the most authentic encounters withwildlife possible. For that reason, the boat should stay within a minimum distance of 50m from any
seal on land and in the water to not influence their natural behaviour.
If an individual appears closer than 50m to the boat or if it approaches the boat voluntarily, theengine should be put into neutral to give the animal the possibility to assess the situation. Whenleaving the individual, it should be ensured that the propellers are free from any wildlife and speed
should be kept to a minimum until a distance of 50m between the boat and the individual has beenreached.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll seal watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 86. The boat must always approach seals which are in the water from an oblique angle.
They shouldn’t approach them directly from the back or the front.
To make sure that the seals can evaluate the situation, the boat must always try to travel parallel tothe animal. Seals must never be approached directly from the front to prevent collisions and not to
cut off their path.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll seal watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 87. Within a radius of 300m haul-out sites must be approached at a no-wake speed.
When entering the observation radius, the boat must slow down to reduce noise emission and tominimize the danger of collisions with individuals who are not resting. Only when the boat leaves
the observation radius, it may increase its speed. However, the boat must maintain a slow speed aslong as it is in the area which is highly frequented by seals.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll seal watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

56

Criterion 88. Flash photography must be avoided in the vicinity of seals.
Mass use of flash photography may distract the seals from their natural behaviour so that tourists
must be advised to keep the use at a minimum.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll seal watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 89. Decoys to attract seals are not permitted.
Playthings such as ropes, plastic decoys etc. are not permitted on boats of Blue Flag awarded tour
operators. By encouraging seals to play with man-made objects, the probability of getting entangled
or hurt in marine litter rises for them.
IMPERATIVE CRITERIONAll seal watching boats

GUIDELINE CRITERION

57

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR
WHALE WATCHING BOATS
Criterion 90. Personal watercraft are not permissible for whale watching.
Whale watching tour operators offering whale and dolphin watching tours must not use personal
watercraft like jet skis or other types of water scooter for their tours.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All whale watching tour operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 91. Cetaceans must be approached from an oblique angle. They must not be approacheddirectly from the back or the front.
To make sure that the whale watching boat does not surprise an individual or cut off its path, it must
always try to travel parallel to the cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). To prevent collisions,
it is recommended not to approach them directly from behind or from the front.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All whale watching tour operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 92. Within a radius of 300m of the cetaceans, whale watching boats must slow to a nowake speed, which should not exceed 5 knots.
When entering the observation radius, the whale watching boat must slow down to reduce noise
emission and to minimise the danger of collisions. Only when the boat leaves the observation radius
may it increase its speed. However, the boat must continue to maintain a slow speed as long as it isin any area highly frequented by cetaceans.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All whale watching tour operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 93. When approaching cetaceans, the recommended distance to leave between theboat and the individual (s) is 100m. When safe to do so, the engine should be put into neutral
during such an encounter. Irrespective of this recommendation, the national legislation
concerning the allowed approach distance to cetaceans stands above this recommendation andmust be respected. No boat, however, is permitted to approach a cetacean closer than 50m.
The whale watching operator should be interested in offering tourists the most authentic
encounters with cetaceans possible. For that reason, it is recommended to stay at a minimum
distance of 100m from any whale, dolphin or porpoise, so as not influence the animal’s natural
behaviour.
If an individual appears closer than 100m from the boat or if it approaches the boat voluntarily, theengine should be put into neutral, whenever possible and safe to do so, so as to give the animal the58

opportunity to assess the situation. When leaving the individual, it should be ensured that thepropellers are free from any wildlife, and speed should be kept to a minimum until a distance of
100m between the boat and the individual has been reached. In the case of bow-riding dolphins, theboat has to comply with criterion 96.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All whale watching tour operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 94. No more than two boats must be present within an observation radius of 300 to
100m. Boat must be in contact with one another via radio to coordinate their movements.
Additionally, they should stay on the same side of the cetacean or group of cetaceans to prevent
them from feeling encircled.
Crowding of boats may increase the disturbance of the cetaceans. Therefore, the whale watchingboat has a responsibility to assess the situation and leave the area if there are already more than
two boats present in the observation radius (300-100m). It is recommended that all boats stay on
the same side of the cetacean(s) so that they do not feel entrapped.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All whale watching tour operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 95. Time spent with one individual or group of cetaceans must be kept to a maximum of
30 minutes per boat, per tour. If more than one boat is within the observation radius (300-100m),
this time must be reduced to 15 minutes per boat, per tour.
To minimize the disturbance of the cetaceans caused by the whale watching activity, the boat must
set a time limit of 30 minutes watching time per individual or group of cetaceans during each tour.
If another boat is present in the observation radius of 300m, the whale watching boat should limitthat time to 15 minutes.
If a second boat arrives in the observation radius after the first boat has already spent more than
15 minutes with the animal(s), the first boat must leave immediately.
Furthermore, it is recommended that the tourism boat does not return to the same individual/groupof individuals within one hour after the encounter during the previous tour.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All whale watching tour operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

59

Criterion 96. In the case of bow-riding dolphins, the whale watching boat must not change its
direction or speed abruptly. If the boat has to stop or change its course, speed must be slowed
down gradually.
Dolphins can be attracted by the waves created by the whale watching boat, and on some occasions,they will follow the boat by riding the bow waves or the wake. In this case, the boat should avoid
changing its speed or direction until the dolphins have left the boat. If the boat must stop or change
its direction, extreme caution must be taken to ensure that the dolphins are not harmed. Speedshould not be reduced abruptly, and changes in direction should be conducted very slowly.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All whale watching tour operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

Criterion 97. It is not permissible to use sonar to detect cetaceans.
Any underwater sound propagation system that has been proven to cause injuries or deaths tocetaceans are not permissible for detecting whales and dolphins.
IMPERATIVE CRITERION
All whale watching tour operators

GUIDELINE CRITERION

60