Operating conditions of inland waterway vessel in Vietnam

Operating conditions of inland waterway vessel in Vietnam (source: Internet)

1. What is an inland waterway vessel?

According to Clause 7 Article 3 of the Law on inland waterway navigation 2004 (amended in 2014), inland waterway vessel (hereinafter called vessel) means a ship, boat or another floating structure, motorized or non-motorized, operating exclusively on inland waterways.

2. Operating conditions of vessels in Vietnam

Specifically, in Article 24 of the Law on inland waterway navigation 2004 (amended in 2014), the operating conditions of inland waterway vessels are prescribed as follows:

- For non-motorized vessels with a gross tonnage of over 15 tons, motored vessels with total capacity of main engine of over 15 HP, vessels with a carrying capacity of over 12 people operating on inland waterways must ensure the following conditions:

+ Meet the standards of quality, technical safety and environmental protection as provided for in Clause 3 and 4, Article 26 of this Law;

(i) The Transport Minister of Vietnam shall prescribe the quality, technical safety and environmental protection standards of vessels; prescribe and organize the uniform registry of vessels nationwide, excluding vessels specified in (ii).

(ii) The Defense Minister, the Public Security Minister and the Fisheries Ministers of Vietnam shall, within the scope of their tasks and powers, prescribe the quality, technical safety and environmental protection standards of vessels engaged on defense or security tasks, and fishing vessels, and organize the registry of vessels engaged on defense or security tasks, and fishing vessels.

+ Have certificate of inland waterway vehicle registration, certificate of technical safety and environmental protection; drawing or fixing of registration number, drawing of safety water line and recording of number of passengers allowed to be carried on the vessels;

+ Having adequate crew member planning and list of crew member under regulation.

- For motored vessels with total capacity of main engine from 5-15 HP or with a carrying capacity of over 12 people operating on inland waterways must ensure the conditions specified at Points a and b, Clause 1, Article 24 of Law on inland waterway navigation 2004 (amended in 2014).

- For non-motorized vessels with a gross tonnage from 1-15 tons or with a carrying capacity from 5 -12 people, motored vessels with total capacity of main engine of under 15 HP or with a carrying capacity of under 12 people operating on inland waterways must have certificate of inland waterway vehicle registration and ensure the following conditions:

+ Body of vessels must be firm without leakage of water to the inside; vessels must light a lamp with white light at an visible place if operating at night; vessels carrying people must have adequate balancing seats and life jackets or life-saving devices for people allowed to be carried on the vessels;

+ Engines installed on the vessels must be firm, safe, easy to start and stably operated;

+ Vessels must be drawn or fixed with registration number and recorded with the number of passengers allowed to be carried on the vessels.

+ Vessels must be painted with the safety water line and must not be submerged over the safety water line when carrying passengers or goods.

The safety water line of the vessels is painted with a color different from the color of vehicle side. The painting line is 25 mm wide and 250 mm long horizontally on both sides at the center of the greatest length of the vehicle; the upper edge of painting line is 100 mm from the edge of side for goods carrying vessels and 200 mm for people carrying vessels.

- For rudimentary vessels with a gross tonnage of under 1 ton or with carrying capacity under 5 people or raft when operating on inland waterway must ensure safe conditions specified at Point a, Clause 3 of Article 24 of Law on inland waterway navigation 2004 (amended in 2014).

In addition, the vessels must ensure the service life as stipulated by the Government of Vietnam.

Thanh Rin

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