WILLEMSTAD – The Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) is reminding boat and jet ski operators that it is prohibited to cross the designated swimming areas marked by floating lines or to use these areas for navigation.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve Curaçao’s beaches for both residents and visitors, the government has installed designated swimming zones at several beaches. These areas are marked by floating lines, known locally as “drijflijnen,” which separate swimmers from maritime traffic.
The floating lines are intended to create a safer environment by clearly indicating where people can swim without being exposed to boats or jet skis. Operators of watercraft are required to respect these boundaries and avoid entering the areas reserved for swimmers.
The Unit for Environment and Nature Management (UO MNB), which is responsible for the maintenance of these safety installations, regularly receives complaints that boats and jet skis are crossing the floating lines and entering swimming zones.
The agency has also received reports of boats being tied to the floating lines. This practice is strictly prohibited because the lines are not designed to support boats and can become damaged or break as a result.
When floating lines are damaged, the government must invest additional resources to repair or replace them, while swimmers may be exposed to increased risks from maritime traffic.
According to UO MNB, boats and jet skis may only enter swimming areas in emergency situations, such as engine problems or when a rope becomes caught in a propeller. In such cases, operators must proceed at low speed and take the shortest possible route to shore.
The rules are established under the Curaçao Maritime Ordinance (Vaartuigenverordening). The government is urging all watercraft users to respect the designated swimming zones and help maintain safe conditions for everyone enjoying the island’s beaches.