13.04.2020 Our ref. 1-1-6/882
CIRCULAR
Impact of the emergency situation on the maritime
sector
On the basis of Order No. 76 of the Government of the Republic of 12 March 2020 “Declaration of
Emergency Situation in the Administrative Territory of the Republic of Estonia”, the emergency
situation in Estonia will last until 1 May 2020, which will also have an impact on the maritime sector.
This is an overview of the situation as of 9 April 2020.
1. Repatriation of seafarers
1.1. Crossing the Estonian state border in case of crew changes
On the basis of Order No. 78 of the Government of the Republic of 15 March 2020 “Temporary
restriction on crossing the state border due to the spread of the coronavirus causing the COVID-19
disease”, foreign citizens, in general, are prohibited from entering Estonia as of 17 March 2020.
Exceptions to this include asymptomatic crew members and persons performing repairs or warranty or
maintenance work on ships.
The above-mentioned persons shall take into consideration the following requirements:
A crew member is allowed to enter Estonia for transit only on the basis of a on the basis of the
documents submitted by the ship’s agent to the Police and Border Guard Board (Tallinn Cordon)
or border crossing point in Tallinn Airport under the following conditions:
1. crew members who exhibit no symptoms of disease are allowed to pass through the territory
of Estonia without delay on their way to their country of residence in case of available
transport connections (air traffic, buses, etc.);
2. crew members who exhibit no symptoms are allowed to pass through the territory of Estonia
without delay for the purpose of taking up employment on a cargo vessel.
Crew members are not permitted to stay at Estonian establishments providing accommodation.
Ship agents are required to submit to the Police and Border Guard Board the same documents as before
the emergency situation.
1.2. Repatriation of Estonian seafarers from foreign countries
Employers are obligated to repatriate crew members of ships flying foreign flags upon expiry of their
contracts. If the employer fails to fulfil this obligation, seafarers should contact the representative of
their flag state.
If repatriation is not permitted because of the restrictions imposed in the imposed in the country of
location and help from the state of Estonia is needed, contact the nearest Estonian embassy or call the
emergency phone number +372 5301 9999 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also the Maritime Administration ought to be informed via the general e-
mail
[email protected].
Valge 4 / 11413 Tallinn Estonia / +372 620 5500 /
[email protected] / www.veeteedeamet.ee
Registry Code 70002414
1.3. Disembarkation of crew members at Estonian ports, calls by foreign vessels
Port calls of cruise vessels are not allowed for the duration of the emergency situation. No restrictions
have been imposed on other types of vessels.
Crew members shall take into consideration the following restrictions when calling at Estonian ports:
1. Upon arrival at an Estonian port of a vessel, a crew member is allowed to enter the territory of
the port (quay) only for mooring, loading and unloading of cargo, or other operations necessary
for the operation of the ship (bunkering, dealing with passengers, replenishment, handling of
waste, inspection of draft marks, etc.);
2. Regular disembarkation of crew members is not allowed during the stay at a port of the vessel.
2. Seafarers’ certificates
2.1. Extension of seafarers’ certificates and endorsements
The Seafarers’ Certification Department of the Maritime Administration is open at the usual hours at
the address Lume 9.
More specific information about extension of certificates and endorsements has been published in
Circular No. 6 of the Maritime Administration of 31.03.2020.
Extension of certificates and endorsements is carried out by recognised maritime educational
institutions where distance learning can be conducted in order to assess continued competence of
seafarers in accordance with the Maritime Administration Circular No. 5 of 17 March 2020. The
following educational institutions provide relevant courses:
AS Tallink Grupp – STCW A-VI/1 basic safety familiarization training;
Estonian Maritime Academy –STCW A-VI/4-1 and A-VI/4-2 medical first aid and medical
care);
OÜ MSCA/Reval Merekool – STCW A- VI/1 safety training, survival craft and rescue boats A-
VI/2, advanced fire-fighting A-VI/3, A-VI/4-1 and A-VI/4-2. Basic training on ships subject to
the IGF Code, A-V/3 – on the condition that safety familiarization training has been completed.
2.2. Seafarers’ health certificates
More specific information about extension of the validity of seafarers’ health certificates has been
published in Maritime Administration’s Circular No. 6 of 31 March 2020.
According to the information that the Maritime Administration possesses, health examinations of crew
members are currently performed by:
Qvalitas: https://qvalitas.ee/en/
Baltic Euromedical: http://www.bemed.ee/
3. Ship supervision
3.1. Inspection of foreign-flagged ships in Estonian ports
Foreign-flagged ships are inspected to a limited extent, after risks have been evaluated (ports of
departure, crew changes, etc.).
3.2. Inspections of Estonian-flagged ships
Routine inspections of Estonian-flagged ships in foreign ports are not being conducted. The Maritime
Administration has decided to make use of the possibilities provided by law to extend the inspection
deadlines for three months. More specific information about extension of the statutory certificates for
ships flying the Estonian flag has been published in Maritime Administration’s Circular No. 6 of 31
March 2020.
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4. Recreational craft
4.1. Training of skippers
No examinations of skippers are conducted while the emergency situation lasts.
4.2. Surveys of recreational craft
Surveys of recreational craft are still being carried out, taking reasonable precautions and considering
the safety measures established for the protection of health.
4.3. Documents to be carried while navigating at sea with recreational craft
The certificate of a skipper of a recreational craft does not have to be carried if the skipper carries an
identity document. If the skipper of a recreational craft carries an identity document, it is not mandatory
to carry the registration certificate of the recreational craft registered in Estonia if the skipper of the
recreational craft is entered in the traffic register as the owner, authorised user or user, or if the owner,
authorised user or user is present on board the recreational craft. If a person rents a recreational craft,
he/she is obligated to carry the certificate of a skipper of a recreational craft, because in that case the
registration certificate does not contain information about the person.
5. Navigation in Estonian waters
5.1. Aids to Navigation and navigational information
Seamless operation of the aids to navigation in Estonian waters is ensured as usual. No restrictions
have been imposed. Preparations for the summer season have started. Navigational information is
being published via the ordinary channels.
5.2. Pilotage
The pilotage service is being provided in the customary manner and no special measures have been
established due to the emergency situation.
5.3. Vessel traffic management and reporting formalities
The VTS and GOFREP systems continue operation in the ordinary manner and the safety of vessel
traffic is ensured.
The electronic maritime information system (EMDE) functions as usual; no additional reporting
obligations have been added. As before, a completed health declaration form must be submitted
through EMDE if there is a case of infectious disease on board.
6. Port supervision
All supervisory activities are performed in ports (no exceptions), taking health protection precautions.
(signed digitally)
Rene Arikas
Director General
Tarmo Ots
620 5529,
[email protected]
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