Maritime Safety Act (2001)

This Act regulates the maritime safety of ships, recreational craft and other water craft and their navigational safety on navigable inland waters, the security of ships and ensuring the safety of vessel traffic on waterways. This Act applies to ships, recreational craft, fishing vessel and other water craft flying a foreign flag if so provided for in this Act. Notably, the Act provides for the prevention of pollution from ships. Specifically, it provides that a ship shall comply with the requirements of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and the requirements of the regional agreements entered into by Estonia if the latter requirements are more stringent than the requirements provided for in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, unless otherwise provided for in the respective agreement. The master of a ship shall inform a police authority about pollution caused by the ship and pollution discovered in accordance with the format provided for in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and the police authority shall immediately inform the Maritime Administration and the Environmental Inspectorate about the pollution. The Act further provides for anti-fouling systems on ships; certificates of environmental safety; maritime safety certificates. maritime safety audit of operator. activity licence; ship security; certificates attesting conformity to requirements for working and living conditions of crew members; technical supervision of maritime safety; seaworthiness and worthiness of ships for navigation on inland waters; professional training of seafarers and requirements for manning of ships; water traffic safety on waterways; fairway dues; vessel traffic management system; monitoring of ships; marine casualty and marine incident investigation and safety investigation; state supervision and limitations on use of ships; and liability.