Soziologische Vorüberlegungen zu einer europäischen Küstenwache

Abstract
Because of the average of the freighter PALLAS in October 1998 having shown some structural
weaknesses not only in Germany, this essay shall present options for a better coast guard. Almost
the same problems as in the average of the PALLAS can be seen in the havoc caused by the average
of the tanker ERIKA in December 1999 or, only after the average of the tanker PRESTIGE in
Spanish waters in November 2002. After each occurrence you can hear the demands for a better
coast guard, respectively for more severe laws. Hence, a solution seams necessary.
With regard to a solution there are many difficulties, which – followed Ralf Dahrendorf´s theory
of class-conflict – can be classified in three levels of conflict. The first level called “the first conflict”
or “conflict by water” is a consequence of the “freedom of the seas”. Keywords for this
practice are “cranky boats” or “one-ship-companies”. The next level called “the second conflict”
or “conflict by land” can be divided in two parts. On the one hand there is the difficulty that
some political actors have objections to some innovations. On the over hand there are the different
structures of coast guards in each country of the EC. At least there is the so called “third conflict”
or “conflict by justice” referring to the laws and the third-party-insurance.
The maximum aim may be a European Coastguard under direct sovereignty of the European
Commission named in this essay MARES (Maritime Agency for Rescue on the European Seas).
This way seems to be the most comprehensive solution to improve the status-quo. Further to
this there are less fundamental solutions conceivable, but I consider MARES as an authority of
the EC. Actually, I think there are some interesting ideas planned by the European Commission,
which may be suitable for solving some of the present problems. However, MARES could only
reduce respectively regulate the consequences of the “conflict by water”, which would be an improvement
as against the status-quo. Meanwhile, solving this fundamental conflict itself is a task
for the IMO, for example, by changing the international maritime law.
It may be helpful to keep all this in mind. Future must show which way of protection we might
obtain as a consequence of average of ships.