Seafarers sailing their ships or manning installations across South Africa’s three oceans at the tip of the African continent could face fines of up to R25 000, six months in jail or both, should they fail to inform local authorities of such discharges as soon as it is practically possible.
That’s according to a marine notice to be published by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa).
Acting in terms of the Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act, Samsa said on Friday that should any harmful substance be discharged from a ship, tanker or offshore installation, the involved parties would be legally obliged to immediately report the incident to local authorities. These include Samsa and the department of environment, forestry and fisheries.
This also applies to any damage to a vessel, a tanker or installation from which a discharge of harmful substances into the ocean may occur - regardless of whether this has already happened.
