The SDP proposed that the Coast Guard should be set up as a separate civil service in order to increase efficiency in dealing with maritime affairs.
The sponsors of the bill pointed out that the establishment of the Coast Guard would improve safety and environmental protection in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea.
SDP deputy Sime Lucin criticised the government ministries in charge of maritime affairs and the sea for obstructing the establishment of the Coast Guard, accusing them of not wanting to give up their powers in this area.
Lucin opposed proposals for the Coast Guard to be firmly attached to the Navy and the police, insisting that it should be organised as a separate civil service because in that way it would be easier for it do deal with incidents on the sea, such as those in the Bay of Piran.
During the debate last night, the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) supported the bill in principle, while the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) described the bill as a good platform for resolving this issue, but insisted on waiting for the government to propose its own bill.