Fishing vessels amendments proposal submitted to parliament

The Government proposes amendments to the Act on Ships' Crews and the Safety Management of Ships with the view to implement a Council Directive requirement that every fishing vessel must carry a crew list and its copy must be provided to the authorised persons ashore.

The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on Thursday, said the Ministry of Transport and Communications in a press release.

The Government proposes that the obligation would apply only to vessels that have a hired crew.

The amendment, however, would not apply to self-employed persons engaged in fishing or to practitioners engaged in non-commercial fishing.

The amendments are expected to enter into force on 19 December, which is the closing date of the derogation Finland applies at the moment.

Under the derogation, only fishing vessels exceeding 24 metres in length have been obligated to supply a crew list.