Authorities have inspected 162 passenger ships to determine if they conform to technical and safety standards and regulations. In the aftermath of the inquest, a Transport Ministry report concluded that the vessels are "in satisfactory condition", Investor.bg reported on October 19 2009.

The operation was initiated in light of the tragic incident in Lake Ohrid on September 5, in Macedonia, which caused the death of 15 Bulgarians.

Reportedly, no penalties or fines were issued for the 162 ships that were observed by the inspectors; no discrepancies were revealed with their registration, accreditation and documentation, and all passenger ships, ferryboats and "other vessels" were deemed fit for service, upholding safety standards and regulations, the report said.

"Having completed the operation, we conclude that the general situation in the sector is good. All vessels are equipped with a sufficient amount of life rafts and other safety equipment. All of them have valid documentation, and as such are declared fit for service," a spokesperson from the inspector's commission said, quoted by Investor.

The only exception was a vessel based in Varna, which was banned from continuing to operate. Subsequently, the shipowner filed a complaint to Naval Administration, Varna.

Meanwhile, the Naval Administration distributed an emergency procedures list in the form of stickers to be made available to all vessels to inform passengers of basic emergency procedures.