OREANDA-NEWS.  February 2, 2012. Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation (CAO) for violations of the rules for registration of ships and the pilotage service rules have come into effect. The law was published on the government’s official website.

The changes are aimed at enforcement of the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Code, in terms of administrative responsibility for safety violations in maritime transport, ship registration requirements, for navigation of vessels without a pilot in the areas of compulsory pilotage, and for undeclared or incorrect data about the vessel needed by the pilot to carry out pilotage.

The Code contains provisions on the public administration regulation and state supervision in the field of merchant shipping and, accordingly, the authority of federal agencies in these spheres. Pursuant to Article 84 of the Code for violation of maritime safety rules at the port, harbour master is authorized to impose administrative penalties in accordance with Russian legislation.