The translation of this document is outdated.
Translation validity: 10.11.2022.–31.12.2023.
Amendments not included:
06.12.2023.
Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre) with amending laws of:
30 October 2003 [shall come
into force on 28 November 2003];
28 October 2004 [shall come into force on 26 November
2004];
10 November 2005 [shall come into force on 14 December
2005];
15 June 2006 [shall come into force on 11 July
2006];
10 May 2007 [shall come into force on 13 June
2007];
13 December 2007 [shall come into force on 1 January
2008];
19 June 2008 [shall come into force on 23 July
2008];
11 December 2008 [shall come into force on 18 December
2008];
22 October 2009 [shall come into force on 24 November
2009];
17 June 2010 [shall come into force on 1 July
2010];
16 June 2011 [shall come into force on 7 July
2011];
29 March 2012 [shall come into force on 1 May
2012];
13 June 2013 [shall come into force on 16 July
2013];
30 April 2015 [shall come into force on 3 June
2015];
16 June 2016 [shall come into force on 23 June
2016];
13 July 2017 [shall come into force on 9 August
2017];
4 October 2018 [shall come into force on 30 October
2018];
14 February 2019 [shall come into force on 13 March
2019];
14 May 2020 [shall come into force on 11 June
2020];
20 October 2022 [shall come into force on 10 November
2022].
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the
date of the amending law appears in square brackets at
the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or
clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears
in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph
or clause.
|
The Saeima 1 has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:
Maritime Administration and Marine
Safety Law
Division A
General Provisions
Section 1. Purpose of the Law
The purpose of the Law is to prescribe the State
administration institutional system for maritime matters and to
ensure the implementation of and compliance with the requirements
of treaties and standards, adopted in the field of maritime
safety and security, binding on Latvia in order to ensure
maritime safety, ship, port and port facility security, to
prevent environmental pollution from ships and to make maritime
traffic more efficient.
[16 June 2011]
Section 2. Application of the
Law
(1) Unless provided otherwise therein, the Law shall be
applied to all vessels registered in the Latvian Ship Register
(hereinafter - the Ship Register) irrespective of their location,
foreign flag vessels located in waters under the jurisdiction of
the Republic of Latvia (hereinafter - the Latvian waters), ports
and port facilities, and all natural and legal persons, as well
as other legal entities associated with maritime safety that must
be guaranteed in conformity with the requirements of
international agreements and includes the safety of personnel,
cargo, navigation, and ships.
(2) The Law shall not apply to the ships of the National Armed
Forces and personnel thereof, unless otherwise provided for in
the Law, as well as to the warships of other states and personnel
thereof.
(3) Section 7, Paragraph two, Section 26, Paragraph four,
Sections 42, 43, and 48.1, and Chapter IX of this Law
shall be applied to crafts registered in the Register of
valsts akciju sabiedrība "Ceļu satiksmes drošības
direkcija" [State joint stock company Road Traffic Safety
Directorate].
(4) Section 7, Paragraph two, Section 48.1 and
Chapter IX of this Law shall be applied to vessels which, in
accordance with the laws and regulations of the Republic of
Latvia, need not be registered or the registration of which is
voluntary. Section 48.1 and Chapter IX of this Law
shall be applied to the floating structures the registration of
which in the Ship Register is voluntary.
[28 October 2004; 16 June 2011; 30 April 2015; 14 May 2020;
20 October 2022]
Section 3. Norms of International
Law
If the norms of international law which are binding on Latvia
provide for other provisions than those included in this Law, the
norms of international law shall apply.
Division B
Maritime Administration
Section 4. Institutions of Maritime
Administration
(1) The Ministry of Transport shall perform the general State
administration in maritime matters. The functions provided for in
Section 6 of this Law shall be performed by valsts sabiedrība
ar ierobežotu atbildību "Latvijas Jūras administrācija"
[State limited liability company Maritime Administration of
Latvia] (hereinafter - the Maritime Administration of
Latvia).
(2) Individual functions of maritime matters in accordance
with their competence shall be performed by the National Armed
Forces Naval units that perform coast guard functions
(hereinafter - the Coast Guard), the State Environmental Service,
the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau, the
State Security Service, the State Border Guard and port
authorities.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 10 May
2007; 16 June 2011; 4 October 2018; 20 October 2022]
Section 5. Competence of the
Ministry of Transport
The Ministry of Transport in conformity with its competence in
maritime matters shall:
1) implement the State policy and development strategy;
2) ensure the drafting of laws and regulations in conformity
with the legislative acts of the International Maritime
Organization, Helsinki Commission, International Labour
Organization and other international organizations, as well as
the European Union;
3) represent the State in the International Maritime
Organization, International Hydrographic Organization,
institutions of the European Union and other institutions, and
participate in the work of the Helsinki Commission regarding
matters related to maritime safety;
31) not less than once in seven years shall ensure
the conduct of such audit by the International Maritime
Organization in Latvia to the performance of which the
International Maritime Organization has agreed, as well as shall
ensure publishing of general access information of the audit
results;
4) ensure compliance with treaties binding on Latvia and other
norms of international law;
5) provide supervision and control of the implementation of
the functions transferred to the Maritime Administration of
Latvia;
6) in cases provided for in this Law determine the procedures
for using Latvian waters;
61) perform the functions of the manager of the
International Freight Logistics and Port Information System
(SKLOIS). The Ministry of Transport shall enter into the
delegation contract with the Maritime Administration of Latvia
regarding the performance of the functions of the keeper of the
International Freight Logistics and Port Information System
(SKLOIS);
7) issue and cancel a conformity certificate to seafarers
professional training programmes;
8) [16 June 2011];
9) [22 October 2009];
10) [15 June 2006];
11) [28 October 2004];
12) [16 June 2011];
121) approve the list of seafarer professional
competence evaluators and port assessment commissions;
122) [16 June 2011];
13) develop and co-ordinate international relations;
14) perform other functions related to safety at sea.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 15 June 2006; 10 May
2007; 19 06 2008; 22 October 2009; 16 June 2011; 4 October
2018 / Clause 6.1 shall come into force on 1
January 2019. See Paragraph 41 of Transitional
Provisions]
Section 6. Competence of the
Maritime Administration of Latvia
(1) The Maritime Administration of Latvia shall:
1) perform registration of ships and ship mortgages, and issue
documents related thereto;
2) maintain databases of the Ship Register;
3) monitor the conformity of ships included in the Ship
Register to safety and environmental protection requirements,
including:
a) perform inspections of ships,
b) issue certificates for ships,
c) approve shipbuilding and modernisation projects,
documentation regarding stability of a ship, pollution
contingency plan in case of an accident, ship's manuals and other
documentation of the ship, as well as issue and register ship's
logbooks,
d) control implementation of the requirements specified in the
International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and
for Pollution Prevention (hereinafter - the ISM Code) on ships
included in the Ship Register;
e) issue a permit for trials of emission reduction
technologies for ships included in the Ship Register;
f) perform the obligations of administration referred to in
Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 20 November 2013 on ship recycling and amending
Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 and Directive 2009/16/EC;
4) perform tonnage measurement of ships included in the Ship
Register and issue documents attesting the tonnage;
5) supervise operation of classification societies (recognised
organizations);
6) issue conformity certificates to merchants who perform
inspections of ship safety equipment;
7) issue conformity certificate to merchants which perform the
building, designing, modernisation or repair of ships;
71) assign the unique code of the manufacturer to a
natural or legal person, which manufactures recreational crafts
or personal watercrafts in Latvia;
8) perform port State control;
9) supervise meeting the requirements of safe loading of bulk
cargo ships on board the ships and terminals, as well as perform
conformity inspections of bulk cargo terminals;
10) control handling of dangerous and polluting cargos in
ports within the ship-to-shore interface;
11) control how the procedures for reporting on dangerous and
polluting ship cargoes are complied with in Latvian waters;
12) control how the procedures for reporting on passengers on
board the ships are complied with in Latvian waters;
121) in accordance with the delegation contract
entered into in accordance with Section 5, Clause 6.1
of this Law, perform the functions of the keeper of the
International Freight Logistics and Port Information System
(SKLOIS), including ensure its compatibility with the
European Union Maritime Information and Exchange System
(hereinafter - the SafeSeaNet system);
13) in co-operation with the Coast Guard, co-ordinate the
development and use of the Automatic Identification System
(AIS);
131) in co-operation with the Coast Guard, ensure
the operation of the Long-range Identification and Tracking
(LRIT) System;
14) supervise the establishment and operation of lighthouses,
buoys and other technical aids to navigation necessary for safety
of navigation (hereinafter - the technical aids to navigation),
and also system thereof in Latvian waters;
15) control and carry out depth surveys, as well as
hydrographic surveys and research in Latvian waters;
151) in conformity with the laws and regulations
regarding the geospatial information acquire, compile and
maintain geospatial data and basic data on Latvian waters (sea
and ports) (hereinafter - the marine geospatial information);
16) organise the preparation, printing and distribution of
navigation publications;
17) publish and distribute navigation warnings and notices, as
well as carry out the duties of a national co-ordinator for
analysis and notification of maritime safety information;
18) co-ordinate ship to ship cargo operations in Latvian
waters from the perspective of the maritime safety;
19) co-ordinate the raising of sunken property in Latvian
waters from the perspective of the maritime safety;
20) co-ordinate the documentation of construction projects for
port hydrotechnical, heat energy, gas and other separately
non-classified engineering structures (including explanatory
memorandum and construction project in a minimum composition)
from the perspective of the maritime safety, if the construction
is intended in a port territory, and provide opinion regarding
readiness of the engineering structure for use, if it is located
in a port territory;
201) assess, in conformity with the Marine
Environment Protection and Management Law and from the
perspective of the maritime safety, the draft Cabinet Order drawn
up by the responsible ministry regarding determination of a
certain territory in the sea (permit or licence area in the sea)
in order to arrange marine cable line of electronic
communications, cable line of electronic networks, submarine
electric transmission cable line and submarine pipeline,
including gas pipeline, oil and oil product pipeline in the sea
waters of Latvia;
202) co-ordinate, from the perspective of the
maritime safety, the construction of structures (artificial
islands, structures and facilities, including platforms and
facilities necessary for energy production) within internal
waters of Latvia, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone as
it is laid down in conformity with the Marine Environment
Protection and Management Law and the Construction Law;
21) co-ordinate port regulations from the maritime safety
aspect and ship, port and port facility security and control
compliance therewith;
211) control, from the perspective of the maritime
safety, how the obligations laid down in the laws and regulations
regarding safe operation and handling of containers in ports and
the requirements laid down in the laws and regulations regarding
verified gross mass of containers are complied with;
212) on the basis of the opinion on the environment
risk provided by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and
Regional Development in co-operation with the Latvian Institute
of Aquatic Ecology, grant the exemptions referred to in
Regulation A-4 of Annex to the International Convention for the
Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments,
2004;
22) co-ordinate and perform in co-operation with other
competent authorities implementation and supervision of security
requirements for ships, shipping companies, ports and port
facilities;
23) certifies recognised security organizations and supervise
operation thereof;
24) approve the conformity of training programmes for security
personnel of ships, shipping companies, ports and port facilities
with the security requirements of ships, shipping companies,
ports and port facilities;
25) co-ordinate the conformity of professional training
programmes and training courses of seafarers to international
legal enactments and regulations and supervise the implementation
of such programmes;
26) organise the examinations of seafarer qualifications and
issue professional qualification attesting documents for work on
ships;
27) issue certificates to pilots, as well as supervise pilot
training and qualification examinations;
28) issue certificates to operators of the vessel traffic
services (VTS), as well as supervise training and qualification
examinations of operators of the vessel traffic services
(VTS);
29) maintain a seafarer certification database;
30) draw up, issue, exchange, seize, cancel and recognise as
invalid seamen's books and perform the accounting thereof;
31) assess the conformity of professional qualification of
seafarers, if a report has been received that a seafarer
certified in Latvia fails to fulfil professional duties
thereof;
32) issue certificates to seafarer professional training
instructors and seafarer professional qualification evaluators,
which certify their conformity to the requirements specified in
the International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended
(hereinafter - the STCW Convention);
33) issue a special permit (licence) to merchants, which
provide recruitment and placement services in manning the ship's
crew and supervise the conformity of such merchants to the
requirements laid down in the STCW Convention, and International
Labour Organization Conventions;
34) recognise medical practitioners who are entitled to
provide an opinion regarding the medical fitness of seafarers for
work on ships in conformity with the requirements laid down in
the STCW Convention (hereinafter - the medical practitioner of
seafarers);
35) participate in the work of the International Maritime
Organization, Helsinki Commission, International Hydrographic
Organization, International Labour Organization and other
international organizations;
36) prepare proposals for the development of draft laws and
regulations.
(11) A person has an obligation to provide
information, including a reply to the request of the Maritime
Administration of Latvia, within a time period indicated by the
Maritime Administration of Latvia, on issues related to the
ensuring of the competence of the Maritime Administration of
Latvia laid down in Paragraph one of this Section.
(2) The Cabinet shall issue regulations in which a pricelist
of paid services provided by the Maritime Administration of
Latvia within the framework of State administration tasks and the
procedures for the application thereof, as well as persons who
are exempt from paying for the paid services provided by the
Maritime Administration of Latvia within the framework of State
administration tasks are determined.
(3) In order to perform the functions referred to in Paragraph
one of this Section, the Maritime Administration of Latvia shall
ensure the operation of the Registry of Seamen, the Ship
Register, the Maritime Safety Inspectorate, the Ship and Port
Security Inspectorate and the Hydrographic Service.
(31) The decision taken by the Maritime
Administration of Latvia for the fulfilment of the functions
referred to in Paragraph one of this Section may be contested and
appealed in accordance with the following procedures:
1) the decisions of the Maritime Administration of Latvia,
which are initially taken by structural units of the Maritime
Administration of Latvia, may be contested to the director of the
Maritime Administration of Latvia in accordance with the
procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law.
Decisions of the Director of the Maritime Administration of
Latvia may be appealed to a court;
2) the decisions of the Maritime Administration of Latvia,
which are initially taken by the director of the Maritime
Administration of Latvia, may be contested to the Ministry of
Transport in accordance with the procedures laid down in the
Administrative Procedure Law. Decisions of the Ministry of
Transport may be appealed to the court.
(4) The decisions of the Maritime Administration of Latvia
taken for the implementation of the functions referred to in
Paragraph one of this Section regarding the conformity of ships
with safety requirements which are taken during the process of
the flag State supervision and port State control of ships,
decisions to meet the security requirements of ships, ports and
port facilities, decisions on the compliance with the
requirements of maritime safety for passenger transport services
and cargo operations, as well as decisions to suspend, cancel a
qualification document of a seafarer or to recognise it as
invalid and decisions to issue a permit for trials of emission
reduction technologies or to refuse to issue such permit shall be
enforced from the day of coming into effect thereof. Contesting
and appeal of such decisions shall not suspend operation
thereof.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 15
June 2006; 10 May 2007; 19 June 2008; 11 December 2008; 22
October 2009; 17 June 2010; 16 June 2011; 29 March 2012; 30 April
2015; 16 June 2016; 4 October 2018; 14 February 2019; 14 May
2020 / Paragraph five shall be included in the wording of the
Law on the day when the Law on Public Services comes into force.
See Paragraph 35 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 7. Competence of the Coast
Guard
(1) In conformity with their competence the Coast Guard shall
control compliance with laws and regulations and norms of
international law, which determine the procedures for using
Latvian waters. For this purpose the Coast Guard shall perform
the following functions:
1) in co-operation with the State Environmental Service,
control environment protection and compliance with the laws and
regulations governing fishery, and to detain ships in Latvian
waters in accordance with Section 44 of this Law;
2) eliminate the consequences of ship accidents and disasters,
consequences of the spillage of oil, dangerous and harmful
substances into the sea and to co-ordinate the work related to
the elimination of such consequences in Latvian waters in
compliance with the National Contingency Plan in respect of cases
of pollution of oil, dangerous or harmful substances in the sea
approved by the Cabinet, and the emergency action plans;
3) co-ordinate and perform marine search and rescue [Maritime
Rescue Co-ordination Centre (hereinafter - the Co-ordination
Centre (MRCC) activities] in the area of responsibility for
search and rescue of the Republic of Latvia (hereinafter - the
Latvian area of responsibility) in conformity with the 1979
International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue
(hereinafter - the SAR Convention), other laws and regulations
and emergency action plans, as well as perform assistance service
functions (MAS functions) and grant a place of refuge for
ships;
4) ensure the operation of the Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (hereinafter - the GMDSS) and the operation of the
coastal communications network of the Automatic Identification
System (AIS);
41) perform the functions of the National Competent
Authority within the framework of the Long-range Identification
and Tracking (LRIT) System and in co-operation with the Maritime
Administration of Latvia ensure its operation;
5) in co-operation with Maritime Administration of Latvia
control compliance with the navigation regime;
6) [4 October 2018 / See Paragraph 41 of Transitional
Provisions];
7) control the use of the national flag of Latvia on
ships;
8) in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and
regulations, control, if a seafarer, while being on a ship in
Latvian waters (sea), has used alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic or
toxic substances.
(11) To ensure the operation of the GMDSS and the
Automatic Identification System (AIS), the Coast Guard shall
establish and maintain a communications network, transmitter,
receiver and infrastructure network, a data centre, a computing
system and coordination centre. The Coast Guard has the right to
delegate the establishment and maintenance of the communications
network, transmitter, receiver and infrastructure network, a data
centre, a computing system and coordination centre to valsts
akciju sabiedrība "Latvijas Valsts radio un televīzijas
centrs" [State joint stock company Latvian Radio and
Television Centre] by entering into a delegation contract.
(2) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the use and
regime of navigation in Latvian waters.
(3) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for ensuring
the operation of the ship security alert communication
network.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 15
June 2006; 11 December 2008; 22 October 2009; 16 June 2011; 13
June 2013; 30 April 2015; 4 October 2018 / The new wording
of Paragraph one, Clause 4, Paragraph one, Clause 4.1
and the amendment regarding the deletion of Paragraph one, Clause
6 shall come into force on 1 January 2019. See Paragraph 41 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 8. Competence of the State
Environmental Service
(1) The State Environmental Service in accordance with its
competence shall control the compliance with laws and regulations
and the norms of international law governing the protection of
the marine environment. For this purpose the State Environmental
Service shall perform the following functions:
1) control the environmental protection in Latvian waters and
port areas;
2) issue a special permit (licence) to commercial companies
for the reception and disposal of ship waste in ports;
3) issue the technical regulations of hydro-technical
constructions and co-ordinate projects in the field of
environmental protection;
4) co-ordinate projects for dredging and disposal of dredged
materials to be carried out in sea waters and ports, and issue
permits for the performance of these works;
5) co-ordinate the implementation of the National Contingency
Plan for response to pollution incidents of oil and dangerous or
harmful substances at sea;
6) develop standard requirements for ports, berths and
terminals in relation to oil spill contingency plans;
7) develop guidelines for the collection of oil products;
8) approve oil spill contingency plans for ports, berths and
terminals and control the introduction and implementation
thereof;
9) organise the investigation of environmental pollution
incidents;
10) formulate recommendations for the final placement
(disposal) of oil collected during the process of the elimination
of the pollution;
11) participate in the work of the International Maritime
Organization, Helsinki Commission and the 1992 International Fund
for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage regarding marine
environment protection matters and co-ordinate implementation of
the Helsinki Commission recommendations in respect of maritime
matters;
12) compile data on marine environment pollution;
13) control the compliance with the laws and regulations
governing fishery in Latvian waters and port areas;
14) control the use of natural resources in Latvian waters and
port areas;
15) control the reception and management of ship generated
waste in ports;
151) control the reception and management of ships'
ballast water sediments in ports and terminals;
16) co-ordinate port regulations in the field of environmental
protection and control compliance with these regulations.
(2) The Cabinet may specify additional functions for the State
Environmental Service.
[10 November 2005; 16 June 2011; 14 February 2019]
Section 8.1 Competence of
Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau
(1) The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau
shall carry out investigation of marine casualties and incidents
in the field of maritime safety. The investigator of this Bureau,
when he or she is performing the relevant investigational
operations, shall require an identification card. The procedures
for issuing and cancellation of a service identification card
shall be determined and sample form thereof shall be approved by
the Cabinet.
(2) The operation of the Transport Accident and Incident
Investigation Bureau referred to in Paragraph one of this Section
shall be financed from the resources of the Maritime
Administration of Latvia which in accordance with the prices
stipulated by the Cabinet have been acquired for the paid
services provided within the framework of State administration
tasks and other own revenues. On the first working day of each
month the Maritime Administration of Latvia shall transfer one
twelfth of the financing that is intended for the investigation
of marine casualties in the budget approved by the Cabinet for
the current year to the account of the Transport Accident and
Incident Investigation Bureau in the Treasury.
(3) Investigators of the Transport Accident and Incident
Investigation Bureau shall be insured against accidents that may
occur during performance of service duties at the site of
investigation of marine casualty or incident.
[16 June 2022; 29 March 2012]
Section 9. Competence of Port
Authorities
The competence of port authorities in the field of maritime
safety and environmental protection shall be determined by this
Law, the Law on Ports and the regulations of the relevant
port.
Division C
Marine Safety
Chapter I
Ship Safety and Supervision of Ship Safety
Section 10. Procedures for
Registering Ships
The procedures for registering ships shall be laid down in the
Maritime Code.
Section 11. Safety Requirements for
Ships
(1) The safety requirements for ships and procedures for the
supervision of ship safety taking into account the tonnage,
length thereof, type of a ship, the year of construction and
trading area shall be determined by this Law, and treaties
binding on Latvia and further amendments thereof, including:
1) the 1966 International Convention on Load Lines and the
1988 protocol thereof;
2) the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
1974 (hereinafter - the SOLAS Convention) and the 1988 protocol
thereof;
3) the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships and the 1978 protocol thereof, 1973
(hereinafter - the MARPOL Convention);
4) the Convention On the Protection of the Marine Environment
of the Baltic Sea Area, 1992 (hereinafter - the Helsinki
Convention);
5) the Convention on the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (hereinafter - the COLREG
Convention);
6) the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of
Ships, 1969 (hereinafter - the TONNAGE Convention);
7) the International Labour Organization 1976 Merchant
Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention and the 1996 Protocol
thereof;
8) the STCW Convention;
9) the International Health Organization 2005 International
Health Regulations;
10) the 2001 International Convention on the Control of
Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships;
11) the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (hereinafter - the
MLC Convention);
12) the International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995
(hereinafter - the STCW-F Convention);
13) the International Convention for the Control and
Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004.
(2) In determining the application of ship safety requirements
and procedures for ship safety supervision, the requirements of
international legal enactments shall be taken into account as
regards to:
1) the safety and standards of passenger ships;
2) the system of mandatory inspections in order to ensure safe
operation of ships with horizontal and vertical cargo handling
(hereinafter - the ro-ro ships) and high-speed passenger
crafts;
3) safe administration of ro-ro passenger ships;
4) the organization of ship inspections and supervision, as
well as the activities of the State administration;
5) the safety of ports and ships;
6) the registration of fishing vessels;
7) the work safety and health protection minimum requirements
for work on ships;
8) the training, certification and watchkeeping of
seafarers;
9) other issues related to maritime safety, prevention of
environmental pollution and training, qualification and
certification of persons;
10) the construction and machinery of the ship;
11) the systems and equipment of ships;
12) the fire safety of ships;
13) the prevention of environmental pollution;
14) the stability of ships including damage stability;
15) the maritime safety and emergency preparedness training
for ships' crews;
16) the application of ISM Code and the 2004 International
Ship and Port Facility Security Code (hereinafter - the ISPS
Code);
17) the tonnage of the ships;
18) the load line of ships;
19) the loading, stowing and securing of the cargo on ship, as
well as ballast operations;
20) the safety of passenger ships, ro-ro passenger ships and
high-speed passenger crafts, as well as safety of passengers;
21) the safety of ships, terminals and offshore platforms;
22) the training, certification and qualification examinations
of pilots and operators of the vessel traffic services (VTS);
23) nautical charts, documentation and informative materials
of ships;
24) the responsibility of a ship-owner for the compliance of
the ship with safety norms;
25) the maritime communication and network systems;
26) the safety of ship's radio and navigation equipment;
27) investigation of maritime casualties and incidents.
(3) The Minister for Transport is entitled to specify the
procedures for implementing the international legal enactments
referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section.
(4) The Cabinet may determine the application of safety and
security requirements to ships to which, taking into account the
tonnage, length thereof, type of the ship, the year constructed
and navigation area, the requirements specified in the
international legal enactments referred to in Paragraphs one and
two of this Section do not apply.
(5) The Cabinet may determine the procedures by which the
requirements that are set by the Helsinki Convention in the field
of prevention of environmental pollution for commercial
companies, the activity of which is not connected to maritime
transport, shall be fulfilled.
(6) The Maritime Administration of Latvia or the authorised
ship classification society thereof (recognised organization)
shall certify the conformity to the international requirements
for documentation of Latvian shipbuilding and modernisation
projects and the equipment of ships. The building, modernisation
and repair of ships shall be supervised by the Maritime
Administration of Latvia or the authorised ship classification
society thereof (recognised organization).
(7) On Latvian ships there shall be documentation regarding
the stability of a ship, calculations of the tonnage and load
line, the shipboard oil pollution emergency plans, as well as the
handbooks and other documents specified in international laws and
regulations referred to in Paragraph one of this Section the
conformity to the international requirements of which has been
certified by the Maritime Administration of Latvia or the
authorised ship classification society (recognised organization)
thereof.
(8) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for tonnage
measurement of ships and issue documents attesting tonnage.
(9) The Cabinet shall issue regulations in which specific
stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships are
determined.
(10) The Cabinet shall issue regulations in which the
requirements for use and maintenance of ship's radio and
navigation equipment are determined.
(11) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for assigning
the unique code of the manufacturer to a natural or legal person,
which manufactures recreational crafts or personal watercrafts in
Latvia.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 15
June 2006; 10 May 2007; 19 June 2008; 11 December 2008; 16 June
2011; 13 June 2013; 30 April 2015; 16 June 2016; 14 February
2019]
Section 12. Flag State Supervision
of Ships
(1) Within the meaning of this Law flag State supervision of
ships is the control regarding the conformity of ships to the
requirements of laws and regulations including requirements
specified in Section 11, Paragraphs one, two, three and four of
this Law.
(2) The purpose of flag State supervision of ships is to
ensure that the construction, technical condition, equipment and
crew of Latvian ships guarantee the protection of human life and
health, environment and cargo, as well as to prevent the
operation of ships, which do not comply with international
standards, for navigation purposes.
(3) In order to implement flag State supervision of ships the
Cabinet shall issue regulations in which the procedures in
relation to the following are determined:
1) inspections of ships and time periods thereof;
2) certificates of ships to be issued, suspension thereof or
cancellation of certificates;
3) recognition of ships' certificates issued by foreign
states;
4) ship's class inspections.
[28 October 2004; 11 December 2008]
Section 13. Inspections and
Certificates of Ships
(1) The Maritime Administration of Latvia or its authorised
classification society (recognised organization) and recognised
security organisation shall issue ship certificates specified in
the international legal enactments to ships, which due to their
tonnage, length, and type of the ship, construction year and
navigation area require such certificates.
(2) A national ship certificate shall be issued to ships,
which do not conform to the requirements of Paragraph one of this
Section.
(3) [30 October 2003]
(4) The Maritime Administration of Latvia may perform the
inspections of foreign ships and issue ship certificates thereto
provided for in the relevant treaty, if it has been requested by
a relevant ship-owner and approved by a competent maritime
administration authority of the relevant flag State. Each
certificate shall contain information that it has been issued
upon request of the competent authority of the state in which the
ship is registered.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004]
Section 14. Duty to Maintain Ships
in Conformity with Safety Requirements
(1) The owner and the master of a ship have a duty to maintain
the hull, machinery, installations and equipment of the ship, and
to ensure that the cargo loading, stowage, securing on board and
ballast operations are performed in compliance with safety
requirements in conformity with the requirements of Sections 11,
12 and 13 of this Law.
(2) A Latvian ship-owner shall notify the Maritime
Administration of Latvia regarding any changes made in the hull,
machinery, installations and equipment of the ship that do not
correspond to the information indicated in certificates issued to
the ship, as well as regarding damage caused in the case of an
accident of the ship and due to which the seaworthiness of the
ship is not ensured.
(3) [14 May 2020 / See Paragraph 43 of Transitional
Provisions]
[30 October 2003; 14 May 2020]
Section 15. Port State Control
(1) Within the meaning of this Law, port State control is the
control of foreign ships in ports of Latvia.
(2) The purpose of port State control is to prevent the use of
such foreign ships for shipping which do not comply with
international standards.
(3) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for port State
control in compliance with the requirements of laws and
regulations of the International Maritime Organization and other
international organizations.
[15 June 2006; 16 June 2011]
Section 16. Equipment of Ships
(1) Only such equipment may be used on Latvian ships, which is
certified and complies with the requirements of maritime safety,
human life and health protection, as well as environmental
protection.
(2) For the performance of inspections of ship safety
equipment, the Maritime Administration of Latvia shall issue
conformity certificates according to the procedures specified by
the Cabinet.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 15 June 2006]
Section 17. Ship and Port Control
Inspectors
(1) Flag State supervision and port State control shall be
carried out by inspectors of the Maritime Administration of
Latvia.
(11) In order to perform flag State supervision and
port State control, inspectors of the Maritime Administration of
Latvia, by presenting their service identification card, have the
right to enter the territory of Latvian ports and to visit
merchants in the territory of the port.
(2) In performing duties of flag State supervision and port
State control, the ship control inspectors have the right to
detain a ship in the port or suspend the operation thereof in the
port if non-compliance with the requirements of this Law and
other laws and regulations has been determined.
(3) A ship control inspector shall revoke the decision to
detain a ship or to suspend operations thereof in the port only
after rectification of those deficiencies, which were the basis
for detaining the ship in the port or suspending the operations
thereof.
(4) The Cabinet shall determine the functions and rights of
ship and port inspectors.
(5) In all cases where, in relation to flag State supervision
and port State control of ships, the undue detention or delay of
the ship is referred to, the ship owner, bare boat charterer or
operator has the duty to prove it.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 15
June 2006; 16 June 2011]
Section 18. Classification Societies
(Recognised Organizations) and Recognised Security
Organizations
(1) Classification societies (recognised organizations) are
commercial companies, performing the technical supervision of
ships in conformity with an authorisation agreement entered into
with the Maritime Administration of Latvia. The Maritime
Administration of Latvia may enter into authorisation agreements
only with classification societies recognised in the European
Union in conformity with the national laws and regulations
regarding the procedures for supervising classification societies
(recognised organizations). A list of classification societies
(recognised organizations) shall be published on the website of
the Maritime Administration of Latvia (www.lja.lv).
(2) Port authorities shall provide free access of
representatives of classification societies (recognised
organizations), as well as recognised security organizations to
ships to be inspected.
(3) The definition of recognised security organization is
given in SOLAS Convention Chapter XI-2. The Cabinet shall issue
regulations in which the following shall be determined:
1) the requirements and procedures for recognition,
certification and supervision of activities of security
organizations;
2) the requirements for obtaining of a conformity certificate
of a recognised security organization, and also the procedures
for issuing and cancelling thereof.
(4) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for supervising
classification societies (recognised organizations).
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 16
June 2011; 30 April 2015]
Section 18.1 Limitation
of the Financial Liability of Classification Societies
(Recognised Organizations)
Classification societies (recognised organizations) may limit
the maximum amount, which they pay out to the Maritime
Administration of Latvia in accordance with a court or
arbitration court decision that has come into effect, but this
amount may not be less than:
1) 4 million euros in claims, which are associated with
injuries to persons or death;
2) 2 million euros in claims, which are associated with the
loss of property or damage done thereof.
[15 June 2006]
Section 19. Compliance with
Requirements of ISM Code and ISPS Code
(1) Latvian ships, to which Chapters IX and XI-2 of the SOLAS
Convention apply, shall comply with the requirements of the codes
referred to in these chapters.
(2) The Maritime Administration of Latvia or the authorised
classification society thereof (recognised organization) after an
audit of the relevant shipping company and the ship shall issue
the conformity document specified in the ISM Code to the shipping
companies, which administer the Latvian ship and a safety
management certificate to the Latvian ship.
(3) The Maritime Administration of Latvia shall perform
general supervision of compliance with the ISM Code and ISPS Code
requirements.
(4) The Maritime Administration of Latvia in co-operation with
the State Security Service, State Border Guard, Coast Guard and
other authorities of the Republic of Latvia shall, in conformity
with the laws and regulations governing the operations thereof,
take measures to ensure the implementation of the requirements
specified in the ISPS Code and other laws and regulations for
ship, port and port facility security. The Cabinet shall
prescribe the procedures by which the Coast Guard shall ensure
the enforcement of the decision on the expulsion of the ship from
the port.
(5) The Cabinet shall issue regulations in which the following
shall be determined:
1) division of functions of ships, shipping companies, ports
and port facilities security, as well as procedures for
implementation and supervision thereof laid down in the norms of
international law;
2) rights and obligations of ship and port security inspectors
of the Maritime Administration of Latvia;
3) requirements for the receipt of the international ship
security certificate, interim international ship security
certificate, the Statement of Security Compliance of the Port or
the Port Facility, and also the procedures for issuing or
cancelling such certificates and approval;
4) requirements for approval of training programmes for the
port or port facility personnel and the procedures for approval
thereof;
5) basic requirements for training, exercises and practical
studies in ship and shipping company, port and port facility
security;
6) requirements for co-operation and exchange of information
by authorities involved in the fulfilment of the requirements of
ship, shipping company, port and port facility security, and also
the procedures for co-operation and exchange of information.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 16 June 2011; 30 April
2015; 16 June 2016; 20 October 2022]
Section 20. Radio Communications
All Latvian ships shall be equipped with radio equipment,
including equipment for the provision of radio communications in
cases of a ship accident and rescue operations, conforming to the
requirements of laws and regulations and treaties binding on
Latvia.
Section 21. Ship's Logbooks
(1) On board of ships flying the flag of Latvia and involved
in commercial activities, except fishing vessels, ships without a
crew and laid-up ships, the following ship's logbooks shall be
present:
1) Ship's Log Register. Each ship's logbook used on a ship
shall be registered therein;
2) Ship's Logbook and Ship's Engine Logbook. On ships of less
than 500 gross tonnage, a Combined Ship's Logbook might be used
instead of these logbooks;
3) other ship's logbooks (for example, GMDSS Radio Logbook,
Oil Record Book, Garbage Record Book, Cargo Record Book, if a
ship carries noxious liquid substances in bulk).
(2) The ship's logbooks referred to in Paragraph one of this
Section shall be purchased from the Maritime Administration of
Latvia.
(3) The Maritime Administration of Latvia shall register the
ship's logbooks referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of
this Section.
(4) Instead of the ship's logbooks referred to in Paragraph
one, Clause 3 of this Section it is allowed to use ship's
logbooks other than purchased from the Maritime Administration of
Latvia, if they conform to the requirements of the international
legal enactments.
(5) Entries in ship's logbooks shall be made systematically
and as soon as possible after the carried out activity or event,
by describing the course of the carried out activity or event and
formulating the facts precisely.
(6) Completed ship's logbooks shall be kept on board the ship
for two years, unless otherwise provided for in the international
legal enactments. Afterwards the ship's logbooks shall be
transferred for storage to a ship-owner or ship's management
company which shall keep them for at least another four
years.
(7) Use of ship's logbooks, which is contrary to the to the
requirements of this Section, is prohibited.
[30 April 2015]
Section 22. Emergency Plans and
Muster List
(1) Latvian ships shall have a muster list, which shall
include the following entries: "Kuģa kopējā trauksme!", [Ship's
General Alarm], "Cīņa ar uguni!", [Fire Alarm!], "Cilvēks aiz
borta!", [Man overboard!], "Atstāt kuģi!"[Abandon ship!], as well
as a description of the duties of each crew member in
emergencies, emergency plans and management documents for
emergency situations in compliance with the requirements
specified in SOLAS Convention and MARPOL Convention.
(2) The Minister for Transport is entitled to specify
requirements in relation to action plans in case of emergency and
muster lists.
Chapter II
Crew of a Ship and Labour Protection of Seafarers
Section 23. Crew and Master of a
Ship
(1) A master of a ship is a person authorised by a ship-owner
who is responsible for the general management of the ship, as
well as maritime safety and security. Orders of the master in
compliance with his or her authorisation shall be compulsory to
all persons on board.
(2) The crew of a ship includes officers, ratings and
trainees.
(3) A trainee is a person who is doing his in-service training
on board a ship in accordance with a seafarers professional
education programme.
(4) The crew of a ship shall not include a person who has been
convicted for an intentional serious or especially serious
crime.
(5) Persons who have not been trained and who do not hold an
appropriate certificate of qualification to perform the relevant
work duties in conformity with the requirements of laws and
regulations and international legal enactments shall not work on
a ship. An original of the certificate of qualification shall be
available on board the ship on which a person is working.
(6) It is prohibited to an owner to pass the certificate of
qualification to other person, except for a master of the ship
and in the cases provided for in the laws and regulations.
[28 October 2004; 22 October 2009; 13 June 2013]
Section 24. Manning the Crew of a
Ship
(1) Latvian ships shall be manned with appropriate crew, which
shall ensure safety and security at sea and in ports taking into
account the requirements of the SOLAS Convention, STCW
Convention, STCW-F Convention and International Labour
Organization Conventions.
(2) In manning the crew of a ship, the requirements not lower
than the requirements which are laid down in a minimum manning
certificate shall be complied with. This certificate shall be
issued to Latvian ships by the Maritime Administration of
Latvia.
(3) A ship-owner shall be responsible for the manning of crew.
The crew of the ship shall be manned with the consent of the
master of the ship.
(4) Seafarers and other persons who perform specific tasks in
relation to the operation and maintenance of Latvian ships shall
have documents certifying professional qualification in
compliance with laws and regulations and the STCW Convention, and
also STCW-F Convention.
(5) Activities related to the provision of recruitment and
placement services in manning the ship's crew shall be permitted
to merchants who have obtained a special permit (licence) from
the Maritime Administration of Latvia. This requirement shall not
apply to ship-owners included in the Ship Register, which are
placing persons for work on the ships owned by them not subject
to SOLAS Convention. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures
by which the licensing of merchants occurs, as well as the
supervision of compliance with the regulations of the special
permit (licence) issued to such merchants.
(51) [17 June 2010]
(6) The Cabinet shall determine the rights, duties and
liability of those merchants which provide recruitment and
placement services in manning the ship's crew.
(7) Compensation shall not be demanded and received from a
seafarer for the provision of recruitment and placement services
in manning the ship's crew.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 May 2007; 22 October
2009; 17 June 2010; 16 June 2011; 30 April 2015]
Section 25. Watchkeeping and
Operation of a Ship
(1) In order to guarantee the safety of persons, ships,
cargoes, navigation and the environment, the master shall
organise the watchkeeping and operation of the ship in conformity
with the requirements of this Law and other laws and regulations
on a Latvian ship.
(2) Latvian ship-owners have a duty to ensure safe navigation
and engine room watches on their ships and the operation of the
ship by issuing appropriate instructions to each master, officers
keeping a navigational watch, chief engineer, officers keeping an
engineering watch and ratings of their ship. These instructions
shall provide for the measures necessary for safe operation of
the ship, environmental protection from pollution, conformity of
qualification and state of health of seafarers to safe
watchkeeping conditions.
Section 26. Training of Seafarers
and Persons in Charge of Crafts
(1) The Ministry of Transport shall issue a conformity
certificate for seafarer's professional training programmes the
conformity of which to the requirements of international laws and
regulations, as well as implementation of the professional
training of seafarers shall be supervised by the Registry of
Seamen of Maritime Administration of Latvia. The Cabinet shall
determine the procedures for issuing and cancellation of
conformity certificates and supervision of professional training
programmes of seafarers, and also conditions for the
implementation of professional training programmes of
seafarers.
(2) The certification of seafarers shall be performed by the
Registry of Seamen of Maritime Administration of Latvia in
accordance with the procedures and criteria determined by the
Cabinet.
(3) The Minister for Transport is entitled to specify the
procedures and criteria for the application of STCW and other
international laws and regulations binding on Latvia.
(4) The procedures for training, certifying and registering
the operators of a recreational craft shall be stipulated by the
Cabinet.
(5) [16 June 2011]
(6) [16 June 2011]
(7) [16 June 2011]
[28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 10 May 2007; 19 June
2008; 17 June 2010; 16 June 2011; 30 April 2015 /
Amendments to Paragraph one shall come into force from 31
December 2015. See Paragraph 33 of the Transitional
Provisions]
Section 27. Seaman's Discharge
Book
(1) A Seaman's Discharge Book is a seafarer's identity and
travel document in conformity with the requirements laid down in
the International Labour Organization Seafarer's Identity
Documents Convention, 1958.
(2) A Seaman's Discharge Book shall be issued to seafarers
registered in the seafarer certification database who have been
assigned to work on ships engaged on international voyages and
who have a personal identity document issued by Latvian competent
institutions - foreign nationals shall have a personal identity
document issued by the competent institutions of the foreign
state and a permanent residence permit issued by Latvian
competent institutions. A Seaman's Discharge Book shall also be
issued to persons who are studying in the maritime educational
institutions of Latvia and are assigned to do in-service training
on ships.
(3) [10 November 2005]
(4) The Cabinet shall determine the information to be included
in the Seaman's Discharge Book and the procedures by which the
Registry of Seamen of the Maritime Administration of Latvia shall
perform the drawing up, issue, exchange, seizure, cancellation,
recognition as invalid and accounting of Seaman's Discharge
Book.
(5) Information on invalid Seaman's Discharge Book and forms
thereof shall be included in the register of invalid documents in
accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.
[30 October 2003; 10 November 2005; 16 June 2011]
Section 28. Ensuring Labour
Protection Requirements on Ships
(1) Labour protection requirements, ship operational specifics
and good seamanship shall be complied with on Latvian ships.
(2) The master of a ship shall be liable for compliance with
labour protection and safety requirements on the ship. A member
of the crew assigned by the master of the ship shall be
responsible for the safety of individual operations of the
ship.
(3) A ship-owner shall provide the master of the ship with
labour safety instructions, which shall be drawn up in compliance
with the requirements of the International Labour Organization
Convention, the Labour Protection Law and other laws and
regulations.
[16 June 2011]
Section 29. Medical Fitness of
Seafarers for the Work on a Ship
(1) A seafarer who intends to obtain a professional
qualification-supporting documentation or who is employed or
wants to begin to work on a ship shall have a valid opinion
issued by a medical practitioner regarding his or her medical
fitness for the work on the ship.
(11) Before admission or matriculation to a
vocational education programme, which provides an opportunity to
acquire a document certifying the qualification of a seafarer, a
person (hereinafter - the applicant for the qualification of a
seafarer) shall have a valid opinion issued by a medical
practitioner regarding his or her medical fitness for the work on
the ship in the chosen qualification.
(2) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which
medical examination of seafarers shall be performed, and the
procedures by which a medical practitioner's opinion shall be
issued regarding the conformity of the health of a seafarer for
work on a ship.
(3) The Cabinet shall specify criteria according to which the
conformity of health of seafarers for work on a ship shall be
determined in the medical examination of seafarers.
(31) Expenses for carrying out the medical
examination for a seafarer, who is employed on a Latvian ship, by
a recognised medical practitioner of seafarers shall be covered
by a relevant ship-owner.
(4) The Cabinet shall determine the criteria and procedures
for recognising medical practitioner of seafarers, as well as
duties for the medical practitioners of seafarers. In the
decision on the cancellation of the recognition of medical
practitioner of seafarers the Registry of Seamen of the Maritime
Administration of Latvia is entitled to specify a prohibition for
the medical practitioner to re-apply for the recognition of
medical practitioner of seafarers for a period of up to three
years.
[28 October 2004; 16 June 2011; 30 April 2015; 16 June
2016 / Paragraph 1.1, amendments to Paragraphs
two and three and new wording of Paragraph four shall come into
force on 1 January 2017. See Paragraph 38 of Transitional
Provisions]
Section 30. Work and Rest Rooms of
the Crew of a Ship
(1) Ship-owners shall ensure that the work and recreation
rooms of the crew of Latvian ships comply with the requirements
of conventions of the International Labour Organization and other
international laws and regulations in relation to:
1) minimum area intended for each person in the sleeping
quarters of seafarers and maximum number of persons therein;
2) facilities in sleeping quarters, mess rooms of seafarers,
sanitary facilities and galleys;
3) protection of the crew of the ship against injuries,
humidity, heat, cold and noise;
4) provision of a ship with water and equipment for heating,
lighting, ventilation and sanitary arrangements.
(2) A ship's officer, who has been authorised by the master of
the ship for this purpose, shall periodically inspect the
premises of the crew and record the results in the ship's
logbook.
(3) The Cabinet shall determine the applicable MLC Convention
requirements for living premises and equipment for recreation on
board the ship and the conditions for compliance with such
requirements.
[16 June 2011; 13 June 2013]
Section 31. Restriction on use of
Alcohol and Prohibition to use Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances
(1) The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) may not exceed 0.5
permils for seafarers on a ship.
(2) Seafarers shall refrain from the use of alcohol at least
four hours before watchkeeping or performance of other work
duties and shall not use alcohol during the watchkeeping or
performance of other work duties.
(3) Seafarers on ships may not be under the effect of drugs
and psychotropic substances.
(4) The provisions of this Section do not prohibit the owners
of Latvian ships to specify more restrictive requirements for
seafarers on their ships in relation to norms of allowable
alcohol usage.
(5) The master of a ship, harbour master or an inspector of
marine casualty investigation shall invite the police or the
Coast Guard Service (in the sea), or the State Border Guard (in
the sea and port) in order for them to determine the influence of
alcohol intoxication, narcotic or other intoxicating substance
for persons involved in marine casualty or incident, or send such
persons for the performance of analysis if there are grounds to
suspect that they have used alcohol or narcotic or other
intoxicating substances.
(6) The harbour master is entitled to invite the police or the
State Border Guard in order for them to determine the influence
of alcohol intoxication, narcotic or other intoxicating substance
for persons or send such persons for the performance of analysis
if there are grounds to suspect that they have used alcohol or
narcotic or other intoxicating substances.
[30 October 2003; 10 November 2005; 13 June 2013; 16 June
2016; 14 May 2020 / Amendments to Paragraph two regarding
the replacement of the word "service" with the word "work" shall
come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional
Provisions]
Section 32. Health Protection
Requirements on Ships
(1) The Cabinet shall determine the minimum labour safety and
health protection requirements for the provision of medical aid
on a ship.
(2) Each Latvian ship shall have a specially trained officer
who shall be permanently responsible for the provision of first
aid and the use of medicine.
Chapter III
Maritime Safety and Security in Ports
[28 October 2004]
Section 33. Harbour Master
(1) A harbour master is an official of the port authority who,
in accordance with laws and regulations, the legal enactments of
the International Maritime Organization, Helsinki Convention and
the requirements of the recommendations of the Helsinki
Commission, shall organise and control vessel traffic in the port
and port approaches, and perform the control functions of
maritime safety in relation to vessel traffic in the port, the
port area, fairways, berths and terminals. The Cabinet may issue
regulations regarding harbour masters.
(2) The port authority may establish the following services
necessary for the provision of safety of navigation, which shall
be managed by the harbour master: a vessel traffic service, pilot
service and other port services.
(3) If the services referred to in Paragraph two of this
Section are not established, the chief executive officer of the
port may carry out the duties of a harbour master or another duly
certified person assigned by the chief executive officer of the
port.
(4) A harbour master shall conduct the icebreaking operations
in the port approaches during the ice navigation period.
(5) A harbour master shall conduct the response operations in
a port and person rescue operations if such operations have been
determined in the emergency action plans.
(6) If a marine casualty has occurred in a port or in the
approaches to the port, a harbour master shall notify the Coast
Guard, the Transport accident and Incident Investigation Bureau
and the Maritime Administration of Latvia thereof and, in case of
pollution, also the State Environmental Service and commence the
collection of evidence and documents necessary for the
investigation of the accident without delay.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 10 May
2007; 16 June 2011]
Section 34. Pilots and Operators of
Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)
(1) A pilot is an employee of the relevant port authority who
has received an appropriate professional qualification
certificate. A pilot shall perform advisory functions to the
master of a ship during the ship's manoeuvring, entering into the
port, leaving the port or moving within the port. The master of a
ship is liable for safe navigation of the ship during pilotage
operations.
(2) Pilots may provide pilot services also in waters outside
the port.
(3) The Cabinet taking into account the requirements of
international laws and regulations shall determine the areas
where pilot services are available, the procedures by which
pilots shall be used on ships, as well as the procedures for the
training, certification and qualifications examination of
pilots.
(4) The master of a ship who has an exemption certificate
shall be exempted from a duty to use a pilot in a pilotage area
if it has not been otherwise provided for in international legal
enactments binding on Latvia.
(5) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for training,
certifying and qualifications examination of operators of vessel
traffic services (VTS).
[28 October 2004; 10 November 2005]
Section 35. Registration of Ship
Passengers
(1) On a passenger ship that is engaged in voyages 20 nautical
miles from a Latvian port or more passengers shall be registered
before leaving the port.
(2) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for registering
ship passengers.
[30 October 2003; 13 June 2013]
Section 36. Notification of
Dangerous and Polluting Cargoes
[29 March 2012]
Section 37. Ship Cargo
Operations
(1) Cargo loading and unloading operations shall be performed
in accordance with a ship cargo plan, which shall be co-ordinated
with a stevedore company and for which the master of a ship shall
be liable. The cargo plan of the ship shall ensure the safety of
a ship in port and at sea.
(2) Cargo operations on a ship shall be performed and the
cargo shall be stowed and secured in compliance with the
requirements of the International Maritime Organization in
relation to the type of the relevant cargo (timber, cargoes
carried on deck, grain cargoes, high density bulk cargoes and
other cargoes the carriage of which are regulated by special
codes of the International Maritime Organization).
(3) Any person who suspects non-compliance with the
requirements specified in Paragraph two of this Section in a port
shall notify the harbour master thereof. The harbour master shall
forward this information to the Maritime Administration of
Latvia, if necessary.
[30 October 2003; 16 June 2011]
Section 37.1 Compliance
with the SOLAS Convention Requirements about Obtaining the
Verified Gross Mass of Containers
(1) A shipper shall be responsible that the shipping document,
in which the verified gross mass of a container is stated, in
conformity with the requirements of the SOLAS Convention, is
signed by a person duly authorised by the shipper, and also for
submission of such shipping document to the master or his
representative and to the terminal representative sufficiently in
advance, as required by the master or his representative, to be
used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan.
(2) If the shipping document, with regard to a packed
container, does not provide the verified gross mass and the
master or his representative and the terminal representative have
not obtained the verified gross mass of the packed container, it
shall not be loaded on to the ship.
(3) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for obtaining,
notification and control of verified gross mass of
containers.
(4) This Section shall not apply to containers which are
carried on a chassis or a trailer when such containers are driven
on or off a ro-ro ship in short international voyages
(international voyage during which the ship is not farther than
200 nautical miles from the port or place where passengers and
crew may be conveyed in safety, and the distance between the last
port in a country, where the voyage began, and the destination
port, and also return voyage do not exceed 600 nautical
miles).
[16 June 2016 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2016. See Paragraph 39 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 38. Operations with
Dangerous and Polluting Goods in Ports
(1) Performing operations with dangerous and polluting goods a
berth operator, a shipper and the master of a ship shall, within
their competence depending on the type of the cargoes, ensure
compliance with the requirements of the SOLAS Convention, MARPOL
Convention and codes, including the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), International Maritime Solid
Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC Code), International Safety Guide for Oil
Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT), the Oil Companies International
Marine Forum (OCIMF) Safety Guide for Terminals Handling Ships
Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk and other international legal
enactments in relation to:
1) oil and oil products;
2) cargoes of liquefied gases in bulk;
3) cargoes of noxious liquid substances in bulk;
4) packaged dangerous goods;
5) solid bulk cargoes.
(2) The Minister for Transport is entitled to specify the
procedures for the application of international laws and
regulations in relation to cargo operations and cargo operations
in ports with dangerous and polluting goods in compliance with
the requirements and recommendations of international laws and
regulations and the International Maritime Organization specified
in Paragraph one of this Section, as well as the requirements and
recommendations of the Helsinki Convention and Helsinki
Commission.
(3) Every shipper of a dangerous and polluting cargo in
Latvia, in preparing the cargo for carriage by sea, shall take
into consideration the requirements of the international laws and
regulations specified in Paragraph one of this Section.
(4) The Cabinet may issue regulations regarding the movement
and control of dangerous and polluting cargoes in ports.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 22 October 2009; 16 June
2011]
Section 39. Reception Facilities for
Ship-generated Wastes
(1) The port authority shall ensure the reception of
ship-generated wastes, but a berth operator - the reception of
wastes generated by the cargo of a ship.
(2) Port waste reception facilities shall comply with the
requirements of the MARPOL Convention, Helsinki Convention and
other international legal enactments.
Section 39.1 Facilities
for Reception of the Ships' Ballast Water Sediments
(1) The ports and terminals where cleaning or repair of
ballast tanks is carried out shall ensure the reception of
ballast water sediments.
(2) The facilities for reception of ballast water sediments
shall conform to the requirements laid down in Article 5(1) of
the International Convention for the Control and Management of
Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004.
[14 February 2019]
Section 40. Tonnage Measurement of
Segregated Ballast Tanks in Oil Tankers
The tonnage of segregated ballast tanks shall be calculated in
accordance with the norms of international law.
[19 June 2008]
Chapter IV
Navigation Regime in Latvian Waters
Section 41. Vessel Traffic
Services
(1) In order to foster maritime safety, safety of life at sea
and protection of the marine environment, as well as efficiency
of vessel traffic in port and its approaches, port authorities
shall establish and maintain vessel traffic services in
accordance with Regulation 12 of Chapter V of the SOLAS
Convention.
(2) Operating areas of vessel traffic management system and
procedures for use thereof shall be laid down in the regulations
of the relevant ports and promulgated in the navigation
publication "Notices to Mariners".
(3) Any ship shall observe the following in the operating area
of the vessel traffic management system:
1) procedures for navigation and reporting provided for in the
regulations of the relevant port;
2) recommendations of vessel traffic management operators.
[16 June 2011]
Section 41.1 Reporting
Formalities Related to Ships Arriving in and Departing from
Port
(1) Reporting formalities relating to calling of a ship at
port and leaving therefrom (hereinafter - the port formalities)
are as follows:
1) notification of arrival and departure of a ship from
port;
2) notification of dangerous and polluting goods on board the
ship;
3) notification of ship's waste;
4) submission of security-related information;
5) notification of persons who stowed away on the ship and
stay there illegally;
6) notification in accordance with the Convention on
Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965;
7) reporting in relation to border checks;
8) reporting in relation to customs control;
9) reporting in relation to veterinary, phytosanitary, food
safety, safety of non-food products, as well as quality and
classification control of cargo at the border crossing
points;
10) reporting regarding the need to perform expanded
inspection within the scope of port State control;
11) reporting related to fishing operation and monitoring of
catches prior to arrival of a fishing vessel into a port.
(2) Upon arrival of a ship at the port of Latvia or leaving
it, the duty to perform port formalities is entrusted to an owner
of the ship, possessor, master of the ship or an agent authorised
by an owner of the ship, possessor or a master of the ship.
(3) The procedures by which performance of port formalities is
carried out shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[29 March 2012]
Section 41.2
International Freight Logistics and Port Information System
(SKLOIS)
(1) The International Freight Logistics and Port Information
System (SKLOIS) is a State information system which ensures a
centralised and electronical exchange of maritime information in
order to make maritime traffic more efficient.
(2) The International Freight Logistics and Port Information
System (SKLOIS) shall perform the functions of the
national SafeSeaNet system and ensure the information exchange
with the European Union SafeSeaNet system.
(3) The information to be included in the International
Freight Logistics and Port Information System (SKLOIS) and the
procedures for its circulation, the users of this system, the
procedures by which the access rights are granted and annulled
for them, and also the extent of such rights shall be determined
by the Cabinet.
[4 October 2018 / Section shall come into force on 1
January 2019. See Paragraph 42 of Transitional
Provisions]
Section 41.3 Automatic
Identification System (AIS) and Long-range Identification and
Tracking (LRIT) System
(1) The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an
identification and tracking system determined in the SOLAS
convention which automatically provides information regarding the
ship to other ships and institutions on the coast.
(2) The Long-range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) System
is an identification and tracking system determined in the SOLAS
convention which ensures identification of ships and their
tracking in long distances.
(3) The Cabinet shall determine:
1) the procedures for ensuring operation of the coastal
communications network of the Automatic Identification System
(AIS), and also for the use and circulation of the data of this
system;
2) the procedures for ensuring operation of the Long-range
Identification and Tracking (LRIT) System, including the
obligations of the persons involved in the system.
[4 October 2018 / Section shall come into force on 1
January 2019. See Paragraph 42 of Transitional
Provisions]
Section 42. Ship Collision
Reports
If a ship has been damaged in a collision or caused a
collision in Latvian waters, the master of the ship, an owner of
the ship, an agent or other person who has information regarding
the collision of the ship, shall without delay notify the Coast
Guard or the nearest harbour master thereof.
Section 43. Regulations for
Prevention of Collisions at Sea
(1) Masters of ships and hydroplanes shall comply with the
requirements of the COLREG Convention in Latvian waters.
(2) The Cabinet may in compliance with the requirements of the
COLREG Convention specify special navigation procedures in
separate port areas and waters related thereto without
compromising the maritime safety.
[28 October 2004]
Section 44. Control, Inspection and
Detention of a Ship
(1) In order to ensure the execution of laws and regulations
and treaties binding on Latvia in Latvian waters (in sea and
inner aquatorium of a port in separate cases), the Coast Guard
may control, inspect and detain a ship in compliance with the
1982 United Nations Convention On the Law of the Sea.
(11) In order to ensure the execution of laws and
regulations and treaties binding on Latvia, as well as to
strengthen State security and defence capabilities, warships of
member states of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and
European Union (EU) may be involved in the control, inspection
and detaining of ships in Latvian waters (in sea and inner
aquatorium of a port in separate cases). Performing the
abovementioned tasks, warships of member states of North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU) and the
officials thereof have all the rights and duties of the Coast
Guard and the officials thereof.
(2) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for
controlling, inspecting and detaining ships in Latvian
waters.
[15 June 2006; 20 October 2022]
Section 45. Radio Reports
(1) In GMDSS areas included in Latvian coastal waters the
Coast Guard shall ensure the distress (MAYDAY), urgency (PAN-PAN)
and regular marine safety (SECURITEE) messages, as well as
meteorological forecasts in compliance with the requirements of
SOLAS Convention, SAR Convention, International Aeronautical and
Maritime Search and Rescue Manual and International Radio
Regulations. The Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) shall receive the
ship security alert and the security information provided by
ships.
(2) [28 October 2004]
(3) [4 October 2018 / See Paragraph 41 of Transitional
Provisions]
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 15
June 2006; 11 December 2008; 4 October 2018]
Section 46. Search and Rescue
(1) The operations for search and rescue, as well as the
co-ordination of the provision of assistance and the granting
places of refuge for vessels shall be performed by the Coast
Guard in accordance with the requirements of the SAR Convention
and the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue
Manual.
(2) The Cabinet shall issue regulations regarding maritime
search and rescue in the area of responsibility of the
Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in the cases of maritime and aviation
accidents. The abovementioned regulations shall determine the
procedures by which co-operation between the Coast Guard and
other institutions, the operation of the Co-ordination Centre
(MRCC) and its sub-centres shall be conducted, and specify the
Latvian area of responsibility.
(3) The Coast Guard shall ensure the operation of the
Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) and GMDSS coastal communications
network, and use the ships and aircrafts of the National Armed
Forces, the Aeronautical Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre
(ARCC), as well as other technical means in conformity with the
emergency action plan.
(4) The Coast Guard may establish sub-centres of the
Co-ordination Centre (MRCC). The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) of
a port shall be regarded as such a sub-centre in cases of
rescue.
(5) The Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) and sub-centres thereof
shall have emergency action plans that prescribe the procedures
and the authorities involved in search and rescue, as well as the
co-ordination of the provision of assistance and the granting
places of refuge for vessels in the Latvian area of
responsibility including port areas.
(6) In the case of a maritime or aviation accident, the
Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) has the right to permit foreign ships
and warships to enter Latvian territorial waters, but aircraft
and military aircraft to enter Latvian air space above the
territorial waters thereof notifying the Ministry of Defence and
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof immediately.
(7) Passenger ships, which are engaged in regular traffic for
more than six months and crossing the Latvian area of
responsibility, shall have a co-operation plan for search and
rescue. The Coast Guard in compliance with the recommendations of
the International Maritime Organization shall develop the
abovementioned plan.
[28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 16 June 2011; 13 July
2017]
Section 47. Emergency and Distress
Signals
(1) In cases of emergency and distress the signals complying
with the requirements of the COLREG Convention and SOLAS
Convention shall be used.
(2) It is prohibited to use the emergency and distress signals
referred to in this Section without need. For such violations,
persons at fault shall be subject to administrative
liability.
Section 48. Notices to Mariners and
Navigational Warnings
(1) The Maritime Administration of Latvia shall compile
information regarding changes in the navigation regime and aids
to navigation in Latvian waters and shall publish this
information in the navigation publication "Notices to
Mariners".
(2) The Coast Guard shall include the information specified in
Paragraph one of this Section and partly or fully navigational
warnings in the regular safety (SECURITEE) broadcasts.
[10 November 2005]
Section 48.1 Vessel
Traffic within Internal Waters of Latvia
(1) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the vessel
traffic within internal waters of Latvia, including the
requirements for traffic participants and established navigation
signs and lights.
(2) A local government council has the right to issue binding
regulations within the administrative territory thereof regarding
additional provisions for the vessel traffic within internal
waters of Latvia. The local government council shall request an
opinion from the Maritime Administration of Latvia regarding a
draft binding regulation from the maritime safety aspect and take
it into account.
[30 April 2015]
Chapter V
Marine Casualties and Marine Incidents
[16 June 2011]
Section 49. Definition of Marine
Casualty and Marine Incident
A marine casualty and marine incident are defined, in the
maritime safety aspect, in the Code of the International
Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation
into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (Casualty Investigation
Code) of the International Maritime Organization.
Section 50. Investigation of Marine
Casualties and Marine Incidents in the Maritime Safety Aspect
(1) Investigation of marine casualties and marine incidents in
the maritime safety aspect is defined in the Code of the
International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety
Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (Casualty
Investigation Code) of the International Maritime Organization.
Such investigation is not related to determination of fault or
liability of the parties involved in the marine casualty or
marine incident.
(2) The procedures for investigating marine casualties and
marine incidents in the maritime safety aspect shall be
determined by the Cabinet.
Section 50.1 Reporting of
Marine Casualty and Marine Incident
(1) A master of the ship, a ship-owner or his or her
authorised person, any institution, as well as any other natural
or legal person who has received information regarding a marine
casualty or marine incident shall notify the Coast Guard thereof
without delay. The Coast Guard shall notify the received
information without delay to the Transport Accident and Incident
Investigation Bureau, the Maritime Administration of Latvia, the
State Police, as well as, if there is a possibility of
environmental pollution, - to the State Environmental Service,
but, if there is a possibility of environmental pollution on the
coast - the State Fire-fighting and Rescue Service.
(2) When a marine casualty or marine incident, in which a
Latvian ship is involved, has occurred in the territorial or
internal waters of other State, a master of the ship, a
ship-owner or his or her authorised person shall notify a
competent authority of the coastal State without delay in
addition to the requirements laid down in Paragraph one of this
Section.
(3) The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau
shall notify the competent authorities of other substantially
interested States without delay regarding any marine casualty or
marine incident in which a Latvian ship is involved or which has
occurred in the territorial or internal waters of Latvia.
(4) The notification regarding marine casualty or marine
incident shall contain as much of the following information as is
readily available:
1) the name and the flag State of the ship;
2) the IMO ship identification number;
3) the nature of the casualty or incident;
4) the position of the casualty or incident;
5) time and date of the casualty or incident;
6) the number of any seriously injured or killed persons;
7) consequences of the casualty or incident to individuals,
property and the environment;
8) the data of any other ship involved in the casualty or
incident.
Chapter VI
Prevention of Marine Pollution
Section 51. Pollution Prevention
(1) A ship-owner, the master of a ship and the operator of an
offshore platform shall ensure compliance with the regulations on
pollution prevention in conformity with the norms of the MARPOL
Convention and Annexes thereof, Helsinki Convention and other
norms of international law.
(2) The master of a ship shall ensure that before the ship
leaves the port, the waste generated by the ship and ship cargo
is delivered to the waste reception facilities of the relevant
port in accordance with the requirements of international legal
enactments.
(3) It is prohibited to discharge waste or other substances
into the sea from ships and fixed offshore installations in
Latvian waters. This prohibition shall not apply to:
1) the dumping of soil acquired in dredging work into the sea
if the dumping is performed in accordance with a permit issued by
the State Environmental Service;
2) dumping of by-catch and over-catch into the sea;
3) cases when a person, a ship or fixed offshore installations
are in danger of being lost and the dumping of substances into
the sea is the only possibility of eliminating these threats.
During the discharge of substances into the sea it shall be
observed that possible harm to human life and health, as well as
the harm to marine environment is reduced to minimum. Any person
who determines such a case of dumping shall notify the State
Environmental Service thereof.
(4) It is prohibited to incinerate waste, as well as chemicals
and chemical products in Latvian waters.
(5) Cargo, passenger and supply operations if a ship is at sea
shall be permitted only at anchorages, which have been notified
in the navigation publication "Notices to Mariners", informing
the Coast Guard. Ship to ship dangerous and polluting cargo
operations shall be co-ordinated with the Coast Guard, the State
Environmental Service, the relevant customs authority, the
Maritime Administration of Latvia and the nearest harbour master
to the anchorage. Each ship performing the abovementioned
operations shall be provided with emergency plans, which shall be
sufficient to prevent the consequences of spillage of harmful
substances into the sea.
(6) Port authorities shall ensure that ports have an oil spill
contingency plan approved by the State Environmental Service.
(7) Operators of an oil or chemical terminal, a berth or a
group of berths shall ensure that an oil spill contingency plan
is drawn up. The State Environmental Service shall approve this
plan.
(8) The plans referred to in Paragraphs six and seven of this
Section in relation to ports shall be drawn up by port
authorities, but in relation to terminals - by their owners
taking into account the requirements of the International
Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and
Co-operation, 1990 (hereinafter - the OPRC Convention) and
standard requirements approved by the Cabinet, which shall be
complied with in preparation of an oil spill contingency
plan.
[28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 10 May 2007]
Section 52. Pollution Reports
(1) Every person has a duty to notify the Coast Guard or the
nearest harbour master regarding each case, which is related to
the spillage or the possible spillage of oil, dangerous or other
harmful substances in Latvian waters from a ship, fixed offshore
installations, a port terminal or any other object. The Coast
Guard or the harbour master shall notify the State Environmental
Service thereof.
(2) The master of a Latvian ship whose ship is in foreign
waters upon identification of the cases referred to in Paragraph
one of this Section shall notify thereof the competent authority
of the nearest coastal state without delay.
[10 November 2005; 10 May 2007]
Section 53. Marine Pollution
Response
(1) The response operations of oil spill and pollution of
dangerous or harmful substances caused by a marine casualty in
Latvian waters or in the proximity thereof shall be performed in
accordance with the OPRC Convention, Helsinki Convention and the
National Contingency Plan for response to pollution incidents of
oil and dangerous or harmful substances at sea approved by the
Cabinet.
(2) The Coast Guard shall ensure and co-ordinate the pollution
response operations, but the relevant harbour master shall
co-ordinate such operations in the port area following the oil
spill contingency plan of the port.
(3) In case of the marine pollution referred to in Paragraph
one of this Section the Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) has the right
to permit foreign vessels and warships to enter Latvian
territorial waters, but in respect of civil and military aircraft
entering Latvian air space above the territorial waters thereof
shall immediately inform the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of such permission.
[28 October 2004; 17 June 2010; 16 June 2011]
Section 54. Procedure in Case of
Marine Pollution
(1) If a marine casualty has occurred, which has caused
pollution or threat of pollution to Latvian waters or the
seacoast of Latvia or caused a threat to any other State interest
related to Latvian waters or seacoast, the Coast Guard in
co-operation with other competent institutions shall take such
measures as it considers necessary to prevent, reduce or
eliminate the pollution, as well as any measures in relation to
the ship involved and the cargo thereof. These measures may
include the following with regard to the ship and the cargo
thereof:
1) relocation;
2) salvage operations;
3) dumping or destruction;
4) taking control.
(2) The Coast Guard after co-ordination with a ship-owner may
issue an order to the master of a Latvian ship to proceed to the
place of a casualty and perform necessary activities for the
prevention, reduction or elimination of marine pollution.
(3) Upon implementing the orders referred to in this Section,
each person shall make every effort to eliminate or reduce the
danger, which threatens human life.
(4) Upon taking the measures referred to in this Section, the
Coast Guard, the State Environmental Service and other competent
institutions shall comply with the requirements of the 1969
International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High
Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, its Protocol relating
to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Marine Pollution by
Substances other than Oil, 1973, and Annexes thereof.
(5) If non-conformity with the requirements of the laws and
regulations governing the maritime matters or some information
cause any suspicions that the ship, which is voluntarily present
in the port of Latvia or offshore platform, is involved or
involves in discharge of oil, dangerous or other harmful
substances in the waters, ports of Latvia, straits used for
international navigation, then, taking into account the regime of
transit passage, as laid down in Part III, Section 2, of the 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to the extent
that a Member State exercises jurisdiction over such straits, the
Coast Guard, the State Environmental Service or other competent
institution shall ensure performance of appropriate inspection in
accordance with the laws and regulations governing the
performance of such inspections taking into account the relevant
guidelines of the International Maritime Organization.
(6) If the inspection referred to in Paragraph five of this
Section reveals facts that could indicate a violation of the
prohibition referred to Section 51, Paragraph three of this Law,
the State Environmental Service shall inform the competent
authorities of the relevant Member State of the European Union
(hereinafter - the Member State) and of the flag State
thereof.
(7) If the discharge of oil, dangerous or other harmful
substances takes place in the territorial waters of Latvia,
exclusive economic zone of Latvia or similar zone which is
established in accordance with international law, straits used
for international navigation and if the ship, which is suspected
of the discharge does not call at a port of the Member State
holding the information relating to the suspected discharge,
then, taking into account the regime of transit passage as laid
down in Part III, Section 2, of the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea, 1982, to the extent that a Member State
exercises jurisdiction over such straits and offshore, the
following shall apply:
1) if the next port of call of the ship is in another Member
State, the State Environmental Service in co-operation with a
competent institution of the relevant Member State shall perform
the inspections referred to in Paragraph five of this Section and
decide on the appropriate measures in accordance with the laws
and regulations in respect of such discharge;
2) if the next port of call of the ship is a port of a State
other than the Member State, the State Environmental Service
shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the next port of
call of the ship is informed about the suspected discharge and
shall request the competent institution of State of the next port
of call to take the appropriate measures in accordance with the
laws and regulations in respect of such discharge.
(8) If the ship, which is present in the port of Latvia,
navigates in the territorial waters of Latvia or in straits used
for international navigation, has had a discharge, then taking
into account the regime of transit passage, as laid down in Part
III, section 2, of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea, to the extent that a Member State exercises
jurisdiction over such straits, the Coast Guard in co-operation
with the State Environmental Service in conformity with laws and
regulations shall commence investigation of the infringement,
where appropriate, detaining the ship until clarification of
circumstances and receipt of guarantee from a ship-owner, agent
or insurer regarding payment of the applied fine and compensation
of damages caused to the environment.
(9) In the cases referred to in Paragraphs seven and eight of
this Section the State Environmental Service shall notify the
Maritime Administration of Latvia and the Transport Accident and
Incident Investigation Bureau thereon without delay.
[10 November 2005; 10 May 2007; 16 June 2011]
Section 55. Condition for the
Receipt of Compensation
(1) A person who has suffered losses due to pollution or
incurred expenditures during the process of pollution elimination
in conformity with the conditions of the International Convention
on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation
for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992 (hereinafter - the Fund
Convention) may request compensation from this fund.
(2) In all cases when the Fund Convention is not applied,
including the case of prevention of pollution threats, a person
who has incurred expenditures related to the participation in
activities that were performed in conformity with the orders
specified in Section 54 of this Law is entitled to request
reimbursement from the entity that caused pollution threats in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the Civil Procedure
Law.
Chapter VII
Hydrography
Section 56. Hydrographic Surveys and
Research
(1) The following hydrographic research and geodesic work
shall be performed in Latvian waters in conformity with the
recommendations of the International Hydrographic
Organization:
1) depth surveys in conformity with the international
hydrographic survey requirements in waters, which are actively
used for navigation;
2) depth measuring and general hydrographic research in
Latvian waters for cartographic and other economic needs;
3) depth measuring for planning, performing and control of
dredging works;
4) searching for sunken objects;
5) [23 June 2016];
6) geodesic research of coastal, hydro-technical and
hydrographic constructions;
7) hydrographic work related to the use of the sea for the
needs of State authorities;
8) development and maintenance of a database of hydrographic
surveys and researches.
(2) The Maritime Administration of Latvia shall organise and
carry out the hydrographic research and geodesic work specified
in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) The surveys made by the Maritime Administration of Latvia
shall be considered as official hydrographic surveys in the
Republic of Latvia.
[30 October 2003; 28 October 2004; 16 June 2011; 30 April
2015; 16 June 2016]
Section 57. Nautical
Publications
(1) The Maritime Administration of Latvia shall organise
compilation, maintaining and distribution of the following
nautical publications [electronically and (or) in a printed
form]:
1) No. 01 "List of Aids to Navigation in Waters of the
Republic of Latvia";
2) No. 02 "A Catalogue of Nautical Charts and
Publications";
3) No. 03 "Symbols and Abbreviations of Latvian Nautical
Charts";
4) No. 04 "Pilot of the Baltic Sea. The Coastline of
Latvia";
5) "Notices to Mariners";
6) Nautical charts (the sea and ports) of Latvian waters in
conformity with the publication No. 02 "A Catalogue of Nautical
Charts and Publications".
(2) Nautical publications issued by the Maritime
Administration of Latvia in conformity with Paragraph one of this
Section are official nautical publications of the Republic of
Latvia.
(3) Electronic navigational charts of Latvian waters (the sea
and ports) prepared by the Maritime Administration of Latvia
shall be equivalent to paper nautical charts if they are used in
relevant certified electronic navigational chart display and
information systems (ECDIS).
(4) Hydrographical survey depths, namely, height of sea
surface in metres above seabed, in Latvian waters shall be
brought to the mean sea level which is related to the European
Vertical Reference System (EVRS).
[30 April 2015]
Section 58. Notifications Regarding
Non-conformity of the Technical Aids to Navigation and Obstacles
to Navigation
(1) Any ship, which has determined the non-conformity of the
technical aids to navigation and obstacles to navigation included
in the charts, the pilot or the navigational publication
"Ugunis un zīmes Latvijas Republikas ūdeņos" [List of Aids
to Navigation in Waters of the Republic of Latvia] shall notify
thereof the Coast Guard or the nearest harbour master who shall
provide this information to the Maritime Administration of
Latvia.
(2) Natural or legal persons, who administer and manage the
technical aids to navigation, shall notify the Maritime
Administration of Latvia without delay regarding any changes in
the operation of the technical aids to navigation. The referred
to persons shall be liable in accordance with laws and
regulations for failure to provide such notification in a timely
manner.
(3) The Maritime Administration of Latvia shall carry out the
duties of the national co-ordinator on the basis of the special
publication S-53 "Global Navigational Warning System" of the
International Hydrographic Organization, International Maritime
Organization and the World Meteorological Organization
(IHO/IMO/WMO).
[30 October 2003; 16 June 2011; 30 April 2015]
Section 59. Marking of Waterways on
Site and Charting
(1) Waterways shall be marked on site and charted in
conformity with the results of hydrographic, hydrologic and other
waterway research.
(2) Technical aids to navigation shall be used for waterway
marking in conformity with the system for region "A" specified by
the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and
Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). Within the meaning of this Law the
technical aids to navigation are lighthouses, buoys, spar buoys,
leading line marks, means of radio navigation, equipment of the
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) or other equipment to be used for
navigation, which has been established in order to ensure safe
navigation.
(3) [10 November 2005]
[10 November 2005; 30 April 2015; 16 June 2016]
Section 60. Maintenance of System of
the Technical Aids to Navigation
(1) The Maritime Administration of Latvia shall organise the
establishment and general supervision of a system of the
technical aids to navigation in Latvian waters. The system of the
technical aids to navigation shall consist of the technical aids
to navigation referred to in Section 59, Paragraph two of this
Law.
(2) It is prohibited to establish, remove or change any
technical aids to navigation if the written consent of the
Maritime Administration of Latvia has not been received in
advance.
(3) The Cabinet shall determine the technical requirements for
the technical aids to navigation taking into account the
requirements of international legal enactments, as well as the
procedures for ensuring the operation of the technical aids to
navigation, and the obligations and rights of the possessors
thereof.
(4) The Maritime Administration of Latvia is entitled to have
access to the technical aids to navigation at any time in order
to perform control thereof.
[30 October 2003; 10 November 2005; 30 April 2015; 16 June
2016]
Section 61. Light Sources
Interfering with Navigation
The Maritime Administration of Latvia is entitled to request
in writing natural or legal persons to eliminate light sources
not related to navigation, which interfere with the use of
technical aids to navigation or may be wrongly perceived as the
technical aids to navigation. The natural or legal person shall
eliminate the referred to light sources at his or her own
expense.
[30 October 2003; 30 April 2015]
Section 62. Movement of Obstacles to
Navigation
(1) The Maritime Administration of Latvia has the right to
issue an order to move any object, which has become or may become
an obstacle or interference to navigation.
(2) If an object referred to in Paragraph one of this Section
is located in a port area, the duties of the Maritime
Administration of Latvia referred to in this Section shall be
carried out by the relevant port authority.
[30 October 2003]
Chapter VIII
Marine Geospatial Information
[30 April 2015]
Section 63. Description of Marine
Geospatial Information
Marine geospatial information, which is obtained, compiled and
maintained by the Marine Administration of Latvia, shall cover at
least the following aspects of the operation to be carried out in
the sea:
1) sea depth surveys;
2) fairways;
3) marine technical aids to navigation;
4) military practice areas;
5) location of submarine cables and pipelines;
6) ship wrecks.
Section 64. World Geodetic System
1984
When compiling, maintaining and using marine geospatial
information, the World Geodetic System 1984 WGS84 shall be
used.
Chapter IX
Administrative Offences in the Field of Maritime Matters and
Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings
[14 May 2020 / Chapter
shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 65. Violation of the
Provisions for the Operation of a Vessel
(1) For the use of a recreational craft for commercial
activity if a note "intended for use for commercial activity" has
not been made for it in the registration certificate in the case
specified in laws and regulations, a fine from one hundred to two
hundred units of fine shall be imposed on an operator of a
recreational craft.
(2) For the operation of a vessel subject to registration if
it has not been registered in accordance with the procedures laid
down in laws and regulations, a fine from two hundred to four
hundred units of fine shall be imposed on the person in charge of
a vessel.
(3) For the operation of a vessel if documents the presence of
which is mandatory on board the vessel are not on board or if
such documents have not been approved, registered, filled in or
are not stored in accordance with the requirements laid down in
laws and regulations (except for ship certificates), a fine from
fourteen to fifty-six units of fine shall be imposed on a natural
person, but a fine from fifty to eight hundred and sixty units of
fine - on a legal person.
(4) For the operation of a vessel if its load line or other
vessel marking does not conform to the requirements laid down in
laws and regulations, a fine from fourteen to fifty-six units of
fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from fifty
to eight hundred and sixty units of fine - on a legal person.
(5) For the operation of a vessel in violation of the
requirements of the MLC Convention, a fine from ten to one
hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural
person, but a fine from fifty-six to one thousand one hundred and
twenty units of fine - on a legal person.
(6) For the operation of a vessel if it has been manned with a
crew which does not conform to the requirements laid down in the
laws and regulations regarding the minimum safe manning of a
vessel (except for force majeure specified in laws and
regulations, for example, sudden illness or death), a fine from
ten to seventy units of fine shall be imposed on a natural
person, but a fine from eighty to one thousand four hundred and
twenty units of fine - on a legal person.
(7) For the operation of a vessel without the ship
certificates specified in laws and regulations, after expiry of
their term of validity, or without intermediate declarations of
conformity on board them, a fine from twenty-eight to one hundred
and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but
a fine from one hundred and twenty to two thousand eight hundred
units of fine - on a legal person.
(8) For the operation of a vessel if its hull, machinery, or
equipment does not conform to the requirements laid down in laws
and regulations, a fine from twenty-eight to one hundred and
forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a
fine from one hundred and twenty to two thousand eight hundred
units of fine - on a legal person.
(9) For violation of the provisions for the operation of a
vessel if, due to such offence or offences, the Latvian vessel
has been detained at a foreign port as a result of a port State
control inspection, a fine from eighty-six to one hundred and
forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a
fine from four hundred to two thousand eight hundred units of
fine - on a legal person.
(10) For the operation of a vessel without conforming to the
obligations and prohibitions specified for the person in charge
of a vessel in laws and regulations, a fine from ten to fifty-six
units of fine shall be imposed on the person in charge of the
vessel.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 66. Violation of the Vessel
Handling Provisions
(1) For exceeding the permitted speed of navigation, a warning
or a fine from ten to fifty units of fine shall be imposed on the
person in charge of the vessel.
(2) For violation of the vessel handling provisions, including
for non-compliance with the provisions for navigation and
manoeuvring, a fine from fourteen to forty units of fine shall be
imposed on the person in charge of the vessel.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 67. Violation of the
Provisions for the Operation and Use of a Recreational Craft
(1) For the operation of a recreational craft if a document
certifying the rights of operating a corresponding recreational
craft (if such are required) or a document certifying the
registration of the recreational craft (if the relevant
recreational craft must be registered) cannot be presented, a
warning or a fine from two to ten units of fine shall be
imposed.
(2) For the use of such recreational craft which is not
supplied with the equipment and life-saving appliances specified
in laws and regulations, a warning or a fine of up to ten units
of fine shall be imposed on an operator of a recreational
craft.
(3) For exceeding the speed of navigation permitted for a
recreational craft, a warning or a fine from six to forty units
of fine shall be imposed on an operator of a recreational
craft.
(4) For violation of the provisions for the operation of a
recreational craft, including for non-compliance with the
provisions for navigation and manoeuvring, a warning or a fine
from six to sixty units of fine shall be imposed on an operator
of a recreational craft.
(5) For movement with a personal watercraft, windsurfing, and
also for engagement in water skiing or similar types of sports
without wearing a life jacket which ensures buoyancy of a person,
a fine from six to eight units of fine shall be imposed.
(6) For carriage of such passenger on a recreational craft who
is less than 12 years of age and is not wearing a life jacket of
appropriate size, a fine from six to eleven units of fine shall
be imposed on an operator of a recreational craft.
(7) For mooring or standing in ship berths which are not
intended for recreational crafts, a fine from ten to forty units
of fine shall be imposed and the rights of operating a
recreational craft shall be revoked for a period from six months
to one year.
(8) For the operation of such recreational craft which is not
marked with any of the State registration signs or name in the
place provided for such purpose, a fine from ten to forty units
of fine shall be imposed on an operator of a recreational
craft.
(9) For the operation of a recreational craft if the rights of
operating the relevant recreational craft have not been obtained,
a fine from twenty to fifty units of fine and a prohibition to
obtain the rights of operating a recreational craft for two years
shall be imposed.
(10) For exceeding the load capacity of a recreational craft
or the permitted number of persons to be carried, a fine from six
to fifty-six units of fine shall be imposed on an operator of a
recreational craft.
(11) For the operation of a recreational craft if the rights
of operating a recreational craft have been revoked, a fine from
one hundred to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be
imposed.
(12) For the use of such recreational crafts subject to
registration which have not been registered according to specific
procedures, a fine from one hundred to two hundred units of fine
shall be imposed on an operator of a recreational craft or the
person who is using the recreational craft.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 68. Violation of the
Provisions for Training of an Operator of a Recreational
Craft
For violation of the provisions for training of an operator of
a recreational craft, a fine from fifty to one hundred units of
fine shall be imposed.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 69. Violation of the
Provisions for the Use and Operation of a Rowing Boat
(1) For violation of the provisions for the use and operation
upon operating such a craft for the operation of which an oar
(oars) or engine the power of which does not exceed 3.7 kilowatts
are used (hereinafter - the rowing boat), a warning shall be
imposed on the operator of a rowing boat.
(2) For carriage of such passenger in the rowing boat who is
less than 12 years of age and is not wearing a life jacket of
appropriate size, a warning or a fine from five to ten units of
fine shall be imposed on the operator of a rowing boat.
(3) For mooring or standing of the rowing boat in ship berths
which are not intended for rowing boats, a fine from five to
fifteen units of fine shall be imposed on the operator of a
rowing boat.
(4) For the operation of a rowing boat in public waters if the
alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled air or in the
medical testing of blood of the operator exceeds 0.5 permils but
does not exceed 0.1 permil, a warning shall be imposed on the
operator of a rowing boat.
(5) For the operation of a rowing boat in public waters if the
alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled air or in the
medical testing of blood of the operator exceeds 1.0 permil but
does not exceed 1.5 permils, a fine of eight units of fine shall
be imposed on the operator of a rowing boat.
(6) For the operation of a rowing boat in public waters if the
alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled air or in the
medical testing of blood of the operator exceeds 1.5 permils, a
fine of twenty-four units of fine shall be imposed on the
operator of a rowing boat.
(7) For the operation of a rowing boat under the influence of
narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances,
a fine of thirty-four units of fine shall be imposed.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 70. Presence on Board a
Vessel or Handling thereof under the Influence of Alcohol,
Narcotic, Psychotropic, Toxic, or Other Intoxicating
Substances
(1) For the presence of a seafarer on board a vessel under the
influence of alcohol during the time when work duties need not be
performed if the alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled
air or in the medical testing of blood of the seafarer exceeds
0.5 permils but does not exceed 1.0 permil, a warning or a fine
of ten units of fine shall be imposed.
(2) For the presence of a seafarer on board a vessel under the
influence of alcohol during the time when work duties need not be
performed if the alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled
air or in the medical testing of blood of the seafarer exceeds
1.0 permil, a fine from twenty to fifty units of fine shall be
imposed.
(3) For the presence of a seafarer under the influence of
alcohol during watchkeeping or performance of other work duties
on board such a vessel which does not carry passengers for
commercial purposes if the alcohol concentration detected in the
exhaled air or in the medical testing of blood of the seafarer
exceeds 0.5 permils, a fine from twenty-five to one hundred and
forty units of fine shall be imposed.
(4) For the presence of a seafarer under the influence of
alcohol during watchkeeping or performance of other work duties
on board such a vessel which carries passengers for commercial
purposes if the alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled air
or in the medical testing of blood of the seafarer exceeds 0.5
permils, a fine from fifty to two hundred and eighty units of
fine shall be imposed.
(5) For the presence of a seafarer under the influence of
narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances
on board such a vessel which does not carry passengers for
commercial purposes, a fine of two hundred units of fine shall be
imposed.
(6) For the presence of a seafarer under the influence of
narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances
on board such a vessel which carries passengers for commercial
purposes, a fine of four hundred units of fine shall be
imposed.
(7) For handling a vessel if the alcohol concentration
detected in the exhaled air or in the medical testing of blood of
the person in charge exceeds 0.5 permils, a fine from fifty-six
to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on the
person in charge of the vessel who is certified as an operator of
a recreational craft and the rights of operating a recreational
craft shall be revoked for a period of up to three years.
(8) For handling a vessel under the influence of narcotic,
psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances, a fine
from eighty-six to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be
imposed on the person in charge of the vessel who is certified as
an operator of a recreational craft and the rights of operating a
recreational craft shall be revoked for a period from two to
three years.
(9) For handling a vessel if the alcohol concentration
detected in the exhaled air or in the medical testing of blood of
the person in charge (except for the case when the person in
charge is a seafarer or an operator of a recreational craft)
exceeds 0.5 permils, a fine from ten to one hundred and forty
units of fine shall be imposed.
(10) For handling a vessel if the person in charge (except for
the case when the person in charge is a seafarer or an operator
of a recreational craft) is under the influence of narcotic,
psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances, a fine
from twenty to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be
imposed.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 71. Operation of a
Recreational Craft or Training of Operation under the Influence
of Alcohol, Narcotic, Psychotropic, Toxic, or Other Intoxicating
Substances
(1) For the operation of a recreational craft or training of
operation if the alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled
air or in the medical testing of blood of the operator exceeds
0.5 permils but does not exceed 1.5 permils, a fine from fifteen
to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed, with or
without revoking the rights of operating a recreational craft for
a period of up to one year.
(2) For the operation of a recreational craft or training of
operation if the alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled
air or in the medical testing of blood of the operator exceeds
1.5 permils, a fine from fifty-six to one hundred and forty units
of fine shall be imposed and the rights of operating a
recreational craft shall be revoked for a period of up to three
years.
(3) For the operation of a recreational craft or training of
operation under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic,
or other intoxicating substances, a fine from eighty-six to one
hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed and the rights
of operating a recreational craft shall be revoked for a period
from two to three years.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 72. Refusal from Examination
of the Influence of Alcohol, Narcotic or Other Intoxicating
Substances
(1) For refusal from examination of the alcohol concentration
in the exhaled air, a fine of one hundred and forty units of fine
shall be imposed.
(2) For refusal from the medical examination for the
determination of the alcohol concentration (except for seafarers
of a ship at sea involved in international navigation), as well
as examination of the influence of narcotic or other intoxicating
substances, a fine of two hundred units of fine shall be imposed,
with or without revoking the rights of operating a recreational
craft for a period of up to three years.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 73. Failure to Fulfil the
Reporting Obligations Specified in Laws and Regulations
(1) For failure to report to the Coast Guard or the nearest
harbour master on pollution or potential pollution of the
exclusive economic zone, territorial sea, or inland marine
waters, as well as port areas of Latvia with dangerous or harmful
substances and mixtures or residues thereof, a fine from
fifty-six to four hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a
natural person - person in charge of a vessel, operator of
offshore platforms, and operator of terminals or responsible
persons -, but a fine of up to four hundred and twenty units of
fine - on a legal person.
(2) For failure to fulfil the reporting obligations specified
in laws and regulations, including failure to provide information
in the International Freight Logistics and Port Information
System (SKLOIS), or for failure to provide other
information in a timely manner, including failure to report on a
marine casualty or failure to report to the Maritime
Administration of Latvia on damages to a ship which may affect
the seaworthiness of a ship or cause environmental pollution, a
fine from ten to fifty-six units of fine shall be imposed on a
natural person, but a fine from fifty to five hundred and eighty
units of fine - on a legal person.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 74. Violation of the
Provisions of Cargo, Passenger, or Supply Operations of a
Ship
For violation of the requirements laid down in laws and
regulations for cargo, passenger, or supply operations of a ship,
a fine from twenty-eight to one hundred and forty units of fine
shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from one hundred
and twenty to two thousand eight hundred units of fine - on a
legal person.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 75. Failure to Register
Operations with Dangerous or Harmful Substances and Their
Mixtures in Ship's Documents
For failure to register operations with dangerous or harmful
substances or their mixtures containing such substances above the
specified norms in ship's documents, a fine from forty-two to
four hundred units of fine shall be imposed.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 76. Violation of the
Requirements for the Security of Ships, Ports, Port Facilities,
and Territories Adjacent to Ports
(1) For embarking or staying on board a ship, for entering or
staying in a port, a port facility, a territory adjacent to a
port, or a restricted access area specified in the territory
adjacent to a port in violation of the procedures laid down in
laws and regulations, a fine from fourteen to seventy units of
fine shall be imposed.
(2) For the operation of a ship without the international ship
security certificate or interim international ship security
certificate or without intermediate declarations of conformity
therein, a fine from twenty-eight to one hundred and forty units
of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from two
hundred and eighty to two thousand eight hundred units of fine -
on a legal person.
(3) For violation of other ship security requirements laid
down in the laws and regulations regarding the division of
functions, implementation and supervision of ships, shipping
companies, ports and port facilities security, a fine from ten to
one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural
person, but a fine from two hundred and eighty to two thousand
eight hundred units of fine - on a legal person.
(4) For the operation of a port, port facility, or territory
adjacent to a port without a Statement of Security Compliance of
the Port or the Port Facility or after expiry of its term of
validity or without intermediate declarations of conformity
therein, a fine from twenty-eight to one hundred and forty units
of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from two
hundred and eighty to two thousand eight hundred units of fine -
on a legal person.
(5) For violation of other port or port facility security
requirements laid down in the laws and regulations regarding the
division of functions, implementation and supervision of ships,
shipping companies, ports and port facilities security, a fine
from ten to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed
on a natural person, but a fine from two hundred and eighty to
two thousand eight hundred units of fine - on a legal person.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 77. Violation of the
Provisions for the Carrying out of Diver Works in the Port
Area
(1) For the carrying out of diver works in the port area
without a relevant permit, a warning or a fine of up to seventy
units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine
from ten to seven hundred units of fine - on a legal person.
(2) For the non-compliance with the signalling provisions
during carrying out of diver works in the port area, a warning or
a fine of up to seventy units of fine shall be imposed on a
natural person, but a fine from ten to seven hundred units of
fine - on a legal person.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 78. Violation of the
Provisions for the Maintenance of Technical Aids to
Navigation
(1) For the failure to comply with the obligations specified
for a possessor of technical aids to navigation, a warning or a
fine from fourteen to seventy units of fine shall be imposed on a
natural person, but a fine from one hundred to one thousand four
hundred and twenty units of fine - on a legal person.
(2) For arbitrary installing, removing, moving, covering of
technical aids to navigation or placing of objects similar to
technical aids to navigation, a fine from fourteen to seventy
units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine
from one hundred and forty to one thousand four hundred and
twenty units of fine - on a legal person.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 79. Use of a Vessel in
Unauthorised or Prohibited Places
For the use of a ship, recreational craft, or rowing boat in
unauthorised or prohibited places, a warning or a fine from ten
to fifteen units of fine shall be imposed on the operator of a
rowing boat, a warning or a fine from ten to fifteen units of
fine shall be imposed on the operator of a recreational craft, or
a fine from fifteen to twenty units of fine shall be imposed on
the person in charge of a ship.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 80. Failure to Comply with
the Procedures Laid down in Laws and Regulations after a Water
Traffic Accident
(1) For failure to comply with the procedures laid down in
laws and regulations after a water traffic accident, a fine from
fifty to two hundred units of fine shall be imposed on the person
in charge of a ship, but a fine from forty to one hundred and
fifty units of fine - on the operator of a recreational craft,
with or without revoking of the rights of operating a
recreational craft for a period of up to one year.
(2) For the use of alcoholic beverages, narcotic,
psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances after a
water traffic accident, as well as after a ship or a recreational
craft has been stopped upon request of the police, officials of
the Coast Guard, or officials of the State Border Guard, until
examination of the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotic or
other intoxicating substances, a fine from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty units of fine shall be imposed on the person in
charge of a ship and the operator of a recreational craft.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 81. Performance of
Activities without Coordination of the Maritime Administration of
Latvia
For the performance of such activities without coordination of
the Maritime Administration of Latvia which should be coordinated
with the Maritime Administration of Latvia, a fine from eight to
seventy units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a
fine from fifty to one thousand four hundred units of fine - on a
legal person.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 82. Competence in the
Administrative Offence Proceedings
(1) Administrative offence proceedings for the offences
referred to in Section 73, Paragraph one and Section 75 of this
Law shall be conducted by the State Environmental Service.
(2) Administrative offence proceedings for the offences
referred to in Sections 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 70 (except for
the offence committed by a Latvian ship or a person on board it
outside the territory of the Republic of Latvia), Sections 71, 72
and Section 73, Paragraph two, Sections 74, 77, 78, 79, and 80 of
this Law shall be conducted by the State Border Guard.
(3) Administrative offence proceedings for the offences
referred to in Section 65, Paragraphs one, two, three, six,
eight, and ten (for the offences in inland waters committed by a
ship which is not subject to the requirements of the ISM Code),
Section 66 (for the offences committed by the operator of a craft
in inland waters), Sections 67, 68, 69, Section 70, Paragraphs
seven, eight, nine, and ten (for the offences committed by the
operator of a craft in inland waters), Section 71 (for the
offences in inland waters), Sections 72, 79, and 80 of this Law
if they have been committed by the operator of a recreational
craft or rowing boat (except for the offences in sea waters)
shall be conducted by the State Police or the municipal
police.
(4) Administrative offence proceedings for the offences
referred to in Sections 65, 66 (if the offence has been committed
in the sea), Sections 70, 71 (if the offence has been committed
in the sea), Sections 72, 73, 74, 76, 78, 79, 80 (if the offence
has been committed in the sea), and Section 81 of this Law shall
be conducted by the Coast Guard Service of the Naval Forces of
the National Armed Forces.
(5) Administrative offence proceedings for the offences
referred to in Sections 76 and 77 of this Law shall be conducted
by the Port Police.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 83. Application of the
Chapter
(1) Sections 69, 72, and 79 of this Law shall be applied to
the operator of a rowing boat for the offences committed.
(2) The provisions provided for in this Chapter for
recreational crafts shall be applied to personal watercraft and
other vessels intended for sports and recreation which are not
used for commercial purposes, except for the rowing boats
referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(3) The provisions provided for in this Chapter for ships
shall be applied to floating structures and all vessels which are
not referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section.
(4) For operating a craft under the influence of alcohol,
narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances,
Section 70, Paragraphs seven and eight of this Law shall be
applied to persons who are not seafarers but are certified as
operators of recreational crafts and are operating crafts
involved in commercial activity and intended for sports and
recreation to which, in accordance with Paragraph three of this
Section, the provisions provided for ships are applicable.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Section 84. Cooperation of the
Competent Authorities
The competent authorities shall inform the Registry of Seamen
of the Maritime Administration of Latvia of administrative
offence proceedings which have been initiated for action or
failure to act of certified seafarers of the Registry of Seamen
of the Maritime Administration of Latvia.
[14 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1
July 2020. See Paragraph 43 of Transitional Provisions]
Transitional Provisions
1. Up to the issuance of Cabinet Regulations provided for in
Section 35, Paragraph two and Section 46, Paragraph two, but not
longer than until 1 January 2004, the following Cabinet
Regulations are applicable insofar as they are not in
contradiction with this Law:
1) Cabinet Regulation No. 101 of 24 March 1998, Regulations On
Segregated Ballast Oil Tankers;
2) Cabinet Regulation No. 58 of 15 February 2000, Regulations
Regarding Search and Rescue in Case of Aviation and Marine
Accidents;
3) Cabinet Regulation No. 146 of 18 April 2000, Procedures for
Registration of Ship Passengers;
4) Cabinet Regulation No. 156 of 25 April 2000, Regulations on
Reporting Dangerous and Polluting Cargoes of Vessels.
2. By 1 January 2004 the Cabinet shall approve the national
contingency plan for cases of oil pollution in the sea referred
to in Section 53, Paragraph one of this Law.
3. [30 October 2003]
4. The Cabinet shall, by 1 June 2004, issue the regulations
referred to in Section 7, Paragraph two of this Law.
[30 October 2003]
5. The Cabinet shall, by 1 July 2007, issue the regulations
referred to in Section 45, Paragraph three of this Law.
[30 October 2003; 10 November 2005; 15 June 2006]
6. The new wording of Section 26 of this Law shall come into
force on 1 July 2005.
[28 November 2004]
7. Amendments to Section 27 of this Law (regarding the
deletion of the second sentence of Paragraph three and the new
text of Paragraph four) shall come into force on 1 January
2006.
[28 October 2004]
8. The Cabinet shall, by 1 January 2005, issue the regulations
referred to in Section 17, Paragraph four and Section 24,
Paragraphs five and six of this Law.
[28 October 2004]
9. The Cabinet shall, by 1 July 2006, issue the regulations
referred to in Section 26, Paragraph two of this Law.
[28 October 2004; 10 November 2005; 19 June 2008]
10. The Cabinet shall, by 1 January 2006, issue the
regulations referred to in Section 7, Paragraph three; Section
16, Paragraph two; Section 19, Paragraph five and Section 27,
Paragraph four of this Law.
[28 October 2004]
11. The Cabinet shall, by 1 January 2007, issue the
regulations referred to in Section 18, Paragraph four; Section
50, paragraph four and Section 60, Paragraph three of this
Law.
[10 November 2005]
12. Until the issuance of the Cabinet regulations referred to
in Section 18, Paragraph four; Section 50, Paragraph four and
Section 60, Paragraph three of this Law, the following regulatory
acts of the Ministry of Transport shall be applied:
1) Ministry of Transport Regulation No. 22 of 3 September
2003, Regulations Regarding the Technical Requirements for the
Aids to Navigation;
2) Ministry of Transport Regulation No. 26 of 19 September
2003, Procedures for the Supervision of Classification Societies
(Recognised Organisations);
3) Ministry of Transport Regulation No. 30 of 19 December
2003, Regulations Regarding the Ensuring the Operation of the
Aids to Navigation and the Marking of Waterways on-site;
4) Ministry of Transport Regulation No. 8 of 21 April 2004,
Procedures for the Investigation of Marine Casualties.
[10 November 2005]
13. The Cabinet shall, by 1 December 2007, issue the
regulations referred to in Section 51, Paragraph eight of this
Law.
[10 May 2007]
14. The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau
shall start the implementation of the functions referred to in
Section 8.1 of this Law from 1 June 2011. Until the
time when the implementation of the function referred to in
Section 8.1 of this Law is commenced by the Transport
Accident and Investigation Bureau, the implementation thereof
shall be ensured by the Accident Investigation Division of the
Maritime Administration of Latvia.
[10 May 2007; 13 December 2007; 19 June 2008; 22 October
2009]
15. The Cabinet shall, by 1 January 2009, issue the regulation
provided for in Section 6, Paragraph two of this Law. Until the
coming into force of this Regulation the Cabinet Regulation No.
727 of 30 October 2007, Regulations Regarding the Pricelist of
Paid Services Provided by the State Stock Company "Maritime
Administration of Latvia", shall be applied insofar as they are
not in contradiction with this Law.
[19 June 2008; 11 December 2008]
16. The Cabinet shall, by 1 January 2009, issue the regulation
referred to in Section 26, Paragraph one of this Law. Until the
coming into force of this Regulation the Cabinet Regulation No.
856 of 15 November 2005, Regulations Regarding Procedures and
Criteria for Supervision of the Conformity of Professional
Education Programmes of Seafarers and Implementation of
Professional Education of Seafarers, shall be applied.
[19 June 2008; 11 December 2008]
17. Amendments to Section 26, Paragraphs four, five and six of
this Law in respect of training and certification of the
operators of a recreational craft shall come into force from 1
February 2009.
[19 June 2008]
18. The Cabinet shall, by 1 February 2009, issue the
regulations provided for in Section 26, Paragraph four of this
Law. Until the coming into force of this Regulation the Cabinet
Regulation No. 994 of 20 December 2005, Regulations Regarding
Certification and Training of Operators of Small-sized Navigation
Means, shall be applied insofar as they not in contradiction with
this Law.
[19 June 2008; 11 December 2008]
19. The Cabinet shall, by 1 July 2010, issue the regulations
provided for in Section 11, Paragraph nine of this Law. Until the
coming into force of this regulation the Cabinet Regulation No.
1042 of 27 December 2005, Regulations Regarding Specific
Stability Requirements for Ro-ro Passenger Ships.
[11 December 2008]
20. Deleting of Section 5, Clause 9, amendments to Section 6,
Paragraph one, Clause 25 and 29, Section 24, Paragraph five, six
and seven of this Law shall come into force from 30 December
2010.
[17 June 2010]
21. The Cabinet shall, by 30 December 2010, issue the
regulations provided for in Section 24, Paragraphs five and six
of this Law. Until the coming into force of this Regulation the
Cabinet Regulation No. 874 of 18 December 2007, Regulations
Regarding Placement of Persons for Work on Ships, shall be
applied insofar as they are not in contradiction with this
Law.
[17 June 2010]
22. The Cabinet shall, by 1 March 2012, issue the regulations
referred to in Section 26, Paragraph four of this Law. Until the
day of coming into force of this Regulation:
1) Cabinet Regulation No. 753 of 7 July 2009, Regulations
Regarding Certification of Recreational Craft Operators, shall be
applied insofar as they are not in contradiction with this
Law;
2) sailing yacht operators shall be trained and certified by a
recognised sailing sports federation in accordance with the
procedures laid down in the laws and regulations regarding
recognition of sports federations;
3) operators of motor yachts, cutters and motorboats (if their
length is from 2.5 to 24 metres) for navigation outside Latvian
waters shall be trained by licensed training centres in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and
regulations. After completion of training international operator
certificates which give the right to operate recreational craft
in Latvian waters and outside them shall be issued to operators
of the abovementioned recreational craft by a recognised sailing
sports federation in accordance with the procedures laid down in
the laws and regulations regarding recognition of sports
federations.
[16 June 2011]
23. Condition regarding exclusion of Section 5, Clause 8 and
new wording of Section 18, Paragraph one shall come into force
from 15 July 2011.
[16 June 2011]
24. [16 June 2016]
25. The Cabinet shall, by 15 July 2011, issue the regulations
referred to in Section 50, Paragraph two of this Law. Until the
day of coming into force of this Regulation the Cabinet
Regulation No. 1612 of 22 December 2009, Procedures for
Investigation of Marine Casualties, shall be applied, insofar as
they are not in contradiction with this Law.
[16 June 2011]
26. The Cabinet shall, by 30 October 2012, issue the
regulations provided for in Section 8.1, Paragraph one
of this Law.
[29 March 2012]
27. The Cabinet shall, by 15 May 2012, issue the regulations
provided for in Section 41.1, Paragraph three of this
Law. Until the day of coming into force of this Regulation the
Cabinet Regulation No. 592 of 9 August 2005, Procedures by which
Notifications regarding Dangerous and Polluting Ship Cargoes are
Provided , shall be applied, insofar as they are not in
contradiction with this Law.
[29 March 2012]
28. The Cabinet shall, by 31 December 2015, issue the
regulations referred to in Section 11, Paragraph ten of this
Law.
[30 April 2015]
29. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in
Section 48.1, Paragraph one of this Law by 31 July
2015.
[30 April 2015]
30. The Cabinet shall, by 31 December 2015, issue the
regulations referred to in Section 18, Paragraph three, Clauses 1
and 2 of this Law. Until the day of coming into force of the
relevant regulations, but not later than until 31 December 2015,
the Cabinet Regulation No. 767 of 13 November 2007, Regulations
Regarding Recognised Security Organizations in the Field of
Navigation and Port Operation, shall be applied, insofar as it is
not in contradiction with this Law.
[30 April 2015]
31. The Cabinet shall, by 31 December 2015, issue the
regulations referred to in Section 19, Paragraph five, Clauses 1,
2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Law. Until the day of coming into force of
the relevant regulations, but not later than until 31 December
2015, the Cabinet Regulation No. 748 of 13 November 2007,
Regulations Regarding the Performance and Supervision of
Functions for Ship and Shipping Company, Port and Port Facility
Security, and the Cabinet Regulation No. 682 of 22 August 2006,
Regulations Regarding the Division of Functions for Ship and
Shipping Company, Port and Port Facility Security, shall be
applied, insofar as it is not in contradiction with this Law.
[30 April 2015]
32. The amendment to Section 7 of this Law regarding the
addition of Clause 8 to Paragraph one thereto shall come into
force on 1 November 2015. Until the day of coming into force of
this amendment the Cabinet shall issue regulations corresponding
thereto.
[30 April 2015]
33. The amendment to Section 26 of this Law regarding
supplementation of the second sentence of Paragraph two with the
words "and also conditions for implementation of professional
training programmes of seafarers" shall come into force from 31
December 2015. Until the day of coming into force of this
amendment the Cabinet shall issue regulations corresponding
thereto.
[30 April 2015]
34. The amendment to Section 60, Paragraph three of this Law
in respect of replacement of the words "aid to navigation" (in
the relevant grammatical form) with the words "technical aid to
navigation" (in the relevant grammatical form) shall come into
force from 31 December 2015. Until the day of coming into force
of this amendment, the term "aid to navigation" (in the relevant
grammatical form) in Section 60, Paragraph three shall mean the
term "technical aid to navigation" (in the relevant grammatical
form). Until the day of coming into force of this amendment the
Cabinet shall issue regulations corresponding thereto.
[30 April 2015]
35. The amendment to Section 6 of this Law regarding the
addition of Paragraph five thereto shall come into force
concurrently with the Public Services Law.
[30 April 2015 / The abovementioned amendment will be
included in the wording of the Law on the day of coming into
force of the relevant amendments to the Public Services Law.]
36. The amendment to Section 6 of this Law regarding the
addition of Clause 7.1 to Paragraph one thereto and
the amendment to Section 11 regarding the addition of Paragraph
eleven thereto shall come into force on 1 January 2017. Until the
day of coming into force of the these amendments the Cabinet
shall issue regulations corresponding thereto.
[16 June 2016]
37. The amendment to Section 19 of this Law regarding the
addition of a sentence to Paragraph four thereto shall come into
force on 1 January 2017. Until the day of coming into force of
this amendment the Cabinet shall issue regulations corresponding
thereto.
[16 June 2016]
38. Amendments to Section 29 of this Law regarding addition of
Paragraph 1.1 thereto, supplementing Paragraph two
after the words "health examinations of seafarers" with the words
"and applicants for the seafarer qualification", supplementing
Paragraph three after the words "seafarers ... shall be
determined" with the words "and applicants for the seafarer
qualification", and also stating of Paragraph four in a new
wording shall come into force from 1 January 2017. Until the day
of coming into force of these amendments the Cabinet shall issue
regulations corresponding thereto referred to in Section 29,
Paragraph four of this Law regarding the criteria and procedures
for recognising medical practitioners of seafarers, the
procedures for cancellation of recognition of medical
practitioners of seafarers, and also duties for medical
practitioners of seafarers.
[16 June 2016]
39. Section 37.1 of this Law shall come into force
on 1 July 2016. Until the day of coming into force of this
amendment the Cabinet shall issue regulations corresponding
thereto.
[16 June 2016]
40. The Cabinet shall, by 30 November 2017, issue the
regulations regarding maritime search and rescue in the area of
responsibility of the Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in the cases of
maritime and aviation accidents, and the regulations regarding
the procedures by which co-operation between the Coast Guard and
other institutions, the operation of the Co-ordination Centre
(MRCC) and its sub-centres shall be conducted, and specify the
Latvian area of responsibility referred to in Section 46,
Paragraph two of this Law. Until the day of coming into force of
the relevant regulations, but not later than until 30 November
2017, the Cabinet Regulation No. 674 of 2 December 2003,
Regulations Regarding the Search and Rescue in Case of Aviation
and Maritime Accidents, shall be applied insofar as they are not
in contradiction with this Law.
[13 July 2017]
41. Amendment to Section 5 of this Law regarding its
supplementation with Clause 6.1, amendments to Section
6, Paragraph one of this Law regarding its supplementation with
Clause 12.1, and the new wording of Clauses 13 and
13.1, amendments to Section 7, Paragraph one of this
Law regarding the new wording of Clause 4 of Paragraph one,
supplementation with Clause 4.1 and deletion of Clause
6, and amendment to Section 45 of this Law regarding the deletion
of Paragraph three thereof shall come into force on 1 January
2019.
[4 October 2018]
42. Sections 41.2 and 41.3 of this Law
shall come into force on 1 January 2019. Until the day of coming
into force of the these amendments the Cabinet shall issue
regulations corresponding thereto.
[4 October 2018]
43. Amendments to Section 2, Paragraph one of this Law
regarding the replacement of the words "foreign flag ships" with
the words "foreign flag vessels", amendment to Section 2
regarding the new wording of Paragraph three and the
supplementation of Section with Paragraph four, amendment to
Section 14 regarding the deletion of Paragraph three, amendment
to Section 31, Paragraph two regarding the replacement of the
word "service" with the word "work", as well as Chapter IX shall
come into force concurrently with the Law on Administrative
Liability.
[14 May 2020]
Informative Reference to the
European Union Directive
[14 May 2020]
This Law contains legal norms arising from:
1) Council Directive 97/70/EC of 11 December 1997 setting up a
harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 metres in
length and over;
2) Council Directive 98/41/EC of 18 June 1998 on the
registration of persons sailing on board passenger ships
operating to or from ports of the Member States of the
Community;
3) Directive 2001/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 4 December 2001 establishing harmonised requirements
and procedures for the safe loading and unloading of bulk
carriers;
4) Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a Community vessel traffic
monitoring and information system and repealing Council Directive
93/75/EEC;
5) Directive 2003/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 14 April 2003 on specific stability requirements for
ro-ro passenger ships;
6) Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 7 September 2005 on ship-source pollution and on the
introduction of penalties for infringements;
7) Directive 2005/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 26 October 2005 on enhancing port security;
8) Directive 2008/106/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 19 November 2008 on the minimum level of training of
seafarers;
9) Directive 2009/13/EC of the Council of 16 February 2009
implementing the Agreement concluded by the European Community
Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport
Workers' Federation (ETF) on the Maritime Labour Convention,
2006, and amending Directive 1999/63/EC;
10) Directive 2009/15/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 23 April 2009 on common rules and standards for ship
inspection and survey organizations and for the relevant
activities of maritime administrations;
11) Directive 2009/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 23 April 2009 on port State control;
12) Directive 2009/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 23 April 2009 establishing the fundamental principles
governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime
transport sector and amending Council Directive 1999/35/EC and
Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council.
13) Directive 2009/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 23 April 2009 on the insurance of shipowners for
maritime claims;
14) Directive 2009/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 23 April 2009 on compliance with flag State
requirements;
15) Directive 2012/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 21 November 2012 amending Directive 2008/106/EC on the
minimum level of training of seafarers;
16) Directive (EU) 2017/2110 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 15 November 2017 on a system of inspections for
the safe operation of ro-ro passenger ships and high-speed
passenger craft in regular service and amending Directive
2009/16/EC and repealing Council Directive 1999/35/EC.
The Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 31 October
2002.
President V. Vīķe-Freiberga
Rīga, 19 November 2002
1 The Parliament of the Republic of
Latvia
Translation © 2023 Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre)