ESTABLISHING SAFETY ZONES AROUND FIXED STRUCTURES AT SEA ON CONTINENTAL SHELF (LEGAL ISSUES)
Introduction. Although there have been multiple studies done by both Russian and foreign specialist, one of the most poorly studied international law problems deals with interpretation and application of rules on safety of artificial islands, installations and structures. These measures encompass the coastal state’s right to enact legislation ensuring safety and security of these structures at sea.For the past ten years states have been outlining the need for review of the breadth of the safety zones around offshore installations, first and foremost, around installations and structures used for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources on the continental shelf. It’s of great importance to protect these structures, in particular from collision with ships, and to prevent accidents. The main reason behind this initiative is the increasing number of accidents on offshore oil rigs.Materials and methods. The basis for this research comprises the international treaties which set forth the regime of safety zones at sea. The materials for this paper are also commentaries of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, as well as relevant instruments adopted by IMO, related papers from all three UN conferences on the Law ofthe Sea, documents issued by the International Law Commission, and the IMO Sub-committee on safety of navigation. The methodological basis of present research consists of such traditional methods as general scientific and specific methods.The results of the study. The author of this paper proves the need for elaboration of more thorough international legal regime of safety zones at sea, since it is one the most principal means to ensure safety and security of offshore structures. Among the reasons is the ambiguous practice of coastal states, based on various approaches taken on the issue of safety zone’s breadth. Discussion and conclusion. The article contains thorough analysis of the international legal regime of safety zones, outlining its flaws. Conducted research emphasizes both positive and negative aspects of applicable national legislation, as well as unravels legal norms different from those enshrined in modern international law.