The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, has signed a decree to establish the Operational Lakes Division of the Coast Guard, aimed at enhancing navigational safety on Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Como. This new division, based in Milan and under the direction of Liguria, will coordinate the activities already carried out by the Coast Guard units present in the three basins. The measure includes an increase in search and rescue operations, as well as more effective safety inspections for boaters.
Salvini emphasized the importance of this initiative to ensure a quick and efficient response in the event of water emergencies. The president of the Garda Community, Mariastella Gelmini, welcomed the decree, highlighting the pioneering role of the Coast Guard in the area and describing the measure as strategic for safeguarding not only navigational safety but also the tourism-related uses of Italy’s inland waters.
