Monetary penalties have been established for violations committed by vehicles operating in Georgia’s inland waters. The relevant amendments have been added to the Code of Administrative Offenses, following the government’s adoption of the resolution On Approval of the Safety Rules for Inland Water Transport of Georgia.

This resolution outlines the rights and responsibilities of vehicle owners and operators. Under the new amendments, driving a vehicle that is not registered in the State Register of Inland Waters, lacks visible name and registration number, or has a suspended registration will result in a fine of 500 GEL for individuals and 1,000 GEL for legal entities.

For repeat offenses, the fines increase to 1,000 GEL for individuals and 2,000 GEL for legal entities. Additionally, violations of navigation rules in inland waters carry the same penalties.

The draft law also stipulates that if a recognized organization authorized to conduct technical inspections of inland water vehicles commits a violation that causes or could cause harm to a vehicle, property, the environment, or cargo, it will face a 5,000 GEL fine.

Moreover, violating fire safety regulations on inland water vehicles will result in fines of 500 GEL for individuals and 1,000 GEL for legal entities.

The draft introduces a new administrative offense: unauthorized boarding or tampering with floating navigational markers in internal maritime waters and the territorial sea of Georgia, or stationary markers on land, which results in or could result in damage. This will incur a fine of 100 GEL for individuals, and 500 GEL for repeat violations.