Kiri

Dear Estonian Transport Administration,

We are OSM Crew Management Latvia, a crewing company, and we have been informed that one of the vessels we are working with, GEOQUIP SILVRETTA, will be reflagged under the Estonian flag sometime after Easter, to the best of our knowledge. As this is our first time working with your flag, we hope you will be able to assist us with a few clarifications.

At this stage, it appears that part of the crew will be Russian passport holders. Based on our understanding, there are no restrictions for Russian nationals to serve on vessels under the Estonian flag — could you kindly confirm this? Additionally, the vessel is expected to have a Russian Master holding Russian certificates. While we have not yet received all relevant details, we would appreciate your guidance on whether there are any restrictions or requirements we should be aware of, particularly if the vessel will operate within Estonian waters. Are crew members with Russian nationality and certification permitted to work under the Estonian flag in such cases?

Before we begin submitting applications, could you kindly assist us with a few questions for which we still need clarification? We have reviewed the requirements for obtaining Estonian flag endorsements, but there are a few points that we would like to better understand.

• Could you kindly clarify whether ratings working under the Estonian flag are also required to hold Estonian flag documents (such as an Estonian Seaman's Book), or are flag endorsements only mandatory for officers at the operational and management levels?

• Are we, as the crewing company, allowed to submit initial applications to the Flag Authority on behalf of the seafarers, or must the seafarers complete the process themselves?

• Can endorsements be delivered by courier, or must they be collected in person?

• Can the payment for the relevant fees (State Fee of €75 for the examination, CRA State Fee of €100, and State Fee of €60 for the endorsement) be made under the company’s details, or must it be paid directly by the applicant?

• What is the approximate duration of the examination for management-level seafarers?

Disclaimer

IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL SUPPLIERS/VENDORS/GOODS & SERVICES PROVIDERS: OSM THOME ACTING AS AGENTS ONLY, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF PRINCIPAL
As third-party management company, the respective OSM Thome enter into agency type of contract with our principal (Ship owner and/or Ship operator). All procurement for good(s) and/or service(s) are obtained or to be obtained for the benefit of our principal and/or the Vessel(s) we manage on behalf of our principal. Negotiation(s), request for quotation(s), purchase order(s), agreement(s) and alike, for the procurement of good(s) and/or service(s) in relation to the management of the Vessel(s) are handled by OSM Thome/Axia as agents for and on behalf of our principal. The Principal shall be liable for any obligations arising from or in connection with such procurement of good(s) and/or service(s) to the Vessel(s) under our management and OSM Thome and Axia is under no circumstances liable for such quotation(s), purchase order(s), agreement(s) and alike, for the procurement of good(s) and/or service(s) in relation to the management of the Vessel(s).  

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