DMA: Third Party Liability Insurance Mandatory for Small Vessels

 

Danish Maritime Authority informed that if the vessel does not have insurance coverage, you are not allowed to operate it. 

 

The new requirements regarding mandatory third party liability insurance, strict liability in case of personal injury and loss of pendant as well as wider options for confiscation of vessels have come to into force yesterday (May 15).

 

In April, the Danish parliament passed a bill intended to increase safety at sea. The new rules require you to have a third party liability insurance in cases of injury, loss of pendant or property damage. 

 

If you are covered by an insurance, you are not allowed to operate a speedboat or personal watercraft. Also, you must have a certificate documenting proper insurance coverage.

 

The mandatory third party liability insurance is introduced to ensure greater certainty of compensation for the injured party when accidents involving speedboats, personal watercrafts and similar vessels occur.

 

The regulations do not only cover Danish speedboats and personal watercrafts. Foreign vessels that enter Danish waters must also have insurance. If a vessel does not already have the proper insurance, it is possible to purchase short-term insurance.