Rules of safe diving

SEASTAR HERO project by DiveOUT

Rules for participation in the SEASTAR HERO project of DiveOUT underwater cleaning action of the seabed (hereinafter: Rules)

1. Organizers of the project

The DiveOUT SEASTAR HERO project is organized by the Tourist Board of Pula, OIB: 70023627782, Forum 3, 52100 Pula, with the support of the Sonda Association for the promotion of creativity, education, and local community development, OIB: 26038997814, Vižinada 62, 52447 Vižinada, Croatia (hereinafter: Organizers). The project is organized with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of sea protection through the establishment of a “green diving” support system, where tourists and other interested participants have the opportunity to obtain equipment for the removal of waste from the sea.

The project described in the previous paragraph is not a prize game within the meaning of art. 2 and 3 of the ordinance on the organization of prize games (OG 8/2010), in connection with art. 69 of the Law on Games of Chance (OG 87/2009, 35/2013, 158/2013, 41/2014, 143/2014, 114/2022).

2. Project duration

The project takes place in the following places in Pula in the period from 15. 6. to 15. 9.  (or until the project stocks run out):

Beach Hidrobaza, from 10:00 to 18:00 (10 am to 6 pm)

Public beach Stoja, from 10:00 to 18:00 (10 am to 6 pm)

The organizers reserve the right to change the over all duration of the project.

3. Participation rights

All adult citizens of the Republic of Croatia can participate in the project, as well as adult foreigners with a valid identification document and who have accepted these Regulations. Children under the age of 18 can only participate if accompanied by a parent and/or guardian.

The project participant accepts the rights and obligations deriving from these Regulations by completing and accepting the registration form.

4. How to participate and carry out the project

To participate in the project, it is necessary to:

• visit one of the above beaches during the duration of the project
• access the project by completing the registration form and accepting these Regulations at the designated place with the beach safety manager – lifeguard
• allow inspection of the identification document in order to determine the age of majority
• collect the equipment (net and gloves) and go diving, which can last a maximum of 2 hours
• at the end of the activity, return the equipment and emerged waste to the same place

Participants must respect the following safety rules:

• Before the dive, the participants are obliged to inform the lifeguard on the beach about the intention and plan of the dive, the place of the dive and the time of return. It is not allowed to dive for more than 2 hours if you dive to participate in the project.
• Diving in pairs is recommended and minors must be accompanied by a parent and/or guardian.
• Before starting the dive, participants must check the correctness of their equipment. Diving with defective equipment is not permitted. Participants are required to regularly check their equipment and keep it in good condition.
• It is forbidden to recover waste without protective gloves and a net, and to independently recover bulky and dangerous waste. Participants are required to return gloves and protective nets to the Organizer at the end of the dive.
• Before entering the water, participants must verify the conditions for the dive, including depth, temperature, currents and visibility, and adhere to the dive plan.
• It is not allowed to dive on an empty stomach, as well as immediately after eating.
• It is forbidden to dive near ships or other vessels. Participants are required to keep away from embankments, rocks or other obstacles. Jumping from high cliffs is not allowed.
• It is not allowed to dive outside the marked area, unless you are wearing a life jacket and a buoy.
• It is not permitted to dive beyond the limits of one’s knowledge, training and experience.
• It is forbidden to dive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• The harassment and distress of animals and marine organisms is not permitted. Participants are obliged to dive in an environmentally friendly manner and in accordance with the rules and regulations in effect at the dive site.
• It is the participant’s responsibility to take care of their own safety and health. Participants are required to protect their skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays before and during the dive, by applying sunscreens or other protective measures which do not harm the environment.
• Participants take responsibility for their readiness for unforeseen situations, as well as situations where difficulties and/or problems may arise.
• If you have any concerns about your health, consult your doctor before engaging in diving activities.

5. Disclaimer

To the extent provided for by the provisions of the Law on Compulsory Relations, the Organizers are responsible for the organization and implementation of this project. The organizers ensure that the diving equipment (net and gloves) in the specified locations is in a suitable condition for use in carrying out the project.

Participation in the project is voluntary and at your own risk. Participants confirm that they are physically fit and healthy to participate in the project and that they are aware of the risks and dangers that participation in the project may involve. The Organizers will not collect Participants’ personal data relating to their health for the purpose of conducting the project.

Except for the liability provided by the provisions of the Law on Compulsory Relations, the Organizers will not be held responsible for any injury, damage or loss that the Participants may suffer while participating in the project. Participants are obliged to comply with all safety rules and guidelines prescribed by the Organizers and must not behave in a way that endanger their health or safety or the health and safety of other Participants and visitors.

6. Exclusion of Participants

The organizers reserve the right to exclude a participant from the project at any time in the following cases:

• if the Participant violates the Rules listed here;
• if the Participant uses false information to participate in the project;
• if the beach safety manager – lifeguard, determines that the conditions do not allow safe diving, for example, due to wind, waves, high UV index, or similar factors;
• if there is suspicion or it is established that the Participant has attempted to abuse the title “SEASTAR HERO” and the prize obtained with participation.

7. Prize

In total, 2 types of prizes are awarded: a badge and a T-shirt.

Each participant who returns the equipment (net and gloves) and brings the waste that has emerged wins a badge. Each participant who brings in a significant amount of waste (min. 15 pieces) wins a T-shirt and the title “SEASTAR HERO” with which s/he receives special benefits and surprises in catering and tourist establishments and landmarks of Pula, which support the project and are marked with SEASTAR HERO project by DiveOUT sticker.

Participants can choose which day to use their benefits, but it cannot be more than once every 14 days.

The prizes and any other surprises are valid after consumption at the facility where participants intend to take advantage of the benefits and while stocks last. Prizes won cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred to another person.

8. Protection of personal data

Sonda Association for the promotion of creativity, education, and development of the local community (hereinafter: Sonda) is responsible for the processing of the personal data of the project.

The personal data collected through the registration form will be used exclusively for the purpose of implementing the project:

• Name and surname
• Year of birth
• Citizenship
• Phone number
• Email address

Sonda will delete all personal data of all participants at the end of the project, and in any case within 6 months.

Participants have:

• the right to access personal data
• the right to have their personal data rectified
• the right to erasure (right to be forgotten) of personal data
• the right to limit the processing of personal data
• the right to the portability of personal data

For any request relating to the processing of personal data and to exercise any right provided by the General Data Protection Regulation, the Project Participant can contact the e-mail address: [email protected].

Participants also have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory body, the Personal Data Protection Agency.

Sonda will take the necessary measures to ensure that the personal data of the participants in the Action are processed and used in accordance with the appropriate organizational and technical measures for the protection of personal data.

9. Modification of the Regulations

The organizers reserve the right to change these rules at any time without notice. Changes to the project rules will be posted on the project website seastarhero.com.

10. Dispute Resolution

The Organizers and the Participants will peacefully resolve any disputes arising from the project. If the dispute cannot be resolved amicably, the competent court is that of the place where the plaintiff is located.

11. Project information

All information related to the project can be obtained by sending an e-mail request to [email protected].