Diving laws in France, Italy and Croatia

[Erin]

Hi,

I am a PADI diving instructor, currently residing and working on a privately owned international flagged yacht. I would like to conduct an open water dive course for two crew while in France, Italy and Croatia but I am told it is not possible for me to just jump off the boat and dive in these places as it is against the law because I am not European. Is this correct? Any info on the local dive laws here would be much appreciated. Thanks

[samdive]

best thing to do would be to contact PADI Europe who look after all these territories. I have pmd you an email address

Sam

[spaghetti]

Erin you should follow Sam's suggestion and ask PADI to make things 100% sure. But as far as I know I dont' think you'll have any problem like that in Italy. Of course you can't enter the European Union territory without a passport and a permit if you're not a EU citizen. But divingwise I can assure you that PADI qualifications are valid, legal and fully recognized in this country.

PS: When you will be here in Pizza Land just make sure you have a diveflag on the boat, and a buoy or float with diveflag for each diver. Moreover, beware of the italian Protected Marine Areas (AMP), which are supposed to be sealife sanctuaries. In some of those areas you can't dive unless you pay a fee to the local diving agency (I hate this thing ).

[Erin]

Thanks guys, I will contact PADI Europe, guess I will prob have to transfer my membership from PADI asia pacific over to Europe. Thanks again.