BAHRAIN is set to introduce tough rules for vessels weighing less than 150 tonnes in a bid to reduce accidents and protect lives.
MPs are set to vote on a royal decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad in September last year to amend the 2020 Small Vessels Registration, Safety and Supervision Law.
Under the decree, the Ports and Maritime Affairs at the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry may suspend the navigation and sailing licences and prevent a ship from operating for a period not exceeding one month in any of the following two cases:
1. Violating any provisions of this law or the decisions issued in implementation thereof.
2. Obstructing specialists from the Ports and Maritime Affairs, the Coastguard at the Interior Ministry, or assigned experts from performing their duties in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Any individual operating a ship without a licence could be jailed for a period not exceeding one year and imposed a fine not exceeding BD1,500 or both.
The same penalties will be imposed if a ship owner or captain operates the vessel without obtaining the navigation licence; fails to notify the authorities about a modification or damage; does not request cancellation of registration in circumstances that prohibit operations; sails despite the issuance of a clamp or without complying with provisions.
Anyone who prevents specialists in Ports and Maritime Affairs or the Coastguard or experts from performing their work shall be jailed for a period that does not exceed one year, fined BD1,000 or both.
Also under the decree, an application to renew the ship’s navigation and sailing licences must be submitted before the expiry date. The Transportation and Telecommunications Minister shall issue – after the approval of the Cabinet – an edict specifying fines for the violation. The navigation and sailing licences will not be issued until the fine and renewal fees are paid.
With the exception of crimes stipulated in this law, the Ports and Maritime Affairs may enforce an administrative fine not exceeding BD500 on anyone who violates the provisions or decisions issued in implementation thereof.
The fine increases with an increase in the number of violations.
As stipulated in the decree, ship registration shall be processed by an application submitted by the owner or a representative to the Ports and Maritime Affairs. It must include all information and documents specified in the edict issued by the responsible minister, depending on the type of ship to be registered. The registration office shall keep the original copies of documents submitted or an official duplicate.
Ships registered in accordance with the law may not sail in Bahraini waters until obtaining a sailing licence and navigation licence, in accordance with the conditions and controls determined by an edict issued by the minister.
Floating marine units and small ships that do not engage in commercial activities are excluded.
If the Ports and Maritime Affairs is notified of a modification or damage, it must prevent the ship from sailing, conduct an inspection to ensure the damage has been repaired or that the modification does not affect the vessel’s seaworthiness, and notify the licensee.
The licence bearer will be notified by a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or by any approved electronic means.
The Coastguard has the right to prevent any ship from sailing for a period not exceeding one month if it is caught violating the provisions of this law.
Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Mohammed Al Kaabi told Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee that amendments to the law were necessary following an increase in accidents and violations.
“It is our duty to protect lives, public and private property,” he said.
“The maritime sector is witnessing an increase in commercial activities using small vessels and introducing tougher rules for registration, safety and supervision is a necessity,” he added.
The Interior Ministry has backed the move, saying an effective, precise and more disciplined intervention was the need of the hour.
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