Pretoria: 22 April 2024
A recent successful revision of the country’s Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessels Safety) Regulations, 2007 has once more highlighted the singular high significance of a meaningful stakeholder engagement and interaction, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
The revisions to the regulations, led by the SAMSA Centre for Boating, and gazetted in February for public comment by mid-March 2024, “reflect a concerted effort to address emerging challenges (in the subsector) and to ensure the safety of small vessels – both seagoing and on sheltered waters,” said Ms Debbie James, the head of the boating unit.
The revised Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessels Safety) Regulations 2024 is an improvement on those first adopted in 2007 and cover a wide range of small vessels safety issues inclusive of safety certification, vessel safety requirements, crewing, training, specifical provisions for unregistered pleasure vessels, supplemental delegated powers to agencies and related, admistrative arrangements, as well as other relevant matters.
The gazetting of the proposed revisions to the regulations on 16 February 2024 (Government Gazette Number 50129 and Notice Number R.4374) was followed by an extensive consultation of the boating community countrywide from 27 February to 08 March – beginning with Cape Town (Western Region), followed by Durban (Eastern Region) on 01 March, Gqeberha (Southern Region) on 05 March and finally, Pretoria (Northern Region) on 08 March.
In the meantime, generally, according to SAMSA, the public had until 17 March 2024 to submit comment on the proposed revision.
Giving a background to what sparked the initiative, said Ms James: ” During October 2021, a large inland water houseboat, caught fire. The vessel was burnt down to the waterline in a matter of minutes, and the fire claimed the lives of three people. The incident sparked a need for a concentrated inspection campaign to take place on all passenger and commercial vessels country wide.
“After having inspected over 200 commercial vessels during this concentrated inspection campaign, it was apparent the need for an update to the National Small Vessel Regulations. In a significant step towards enhancing small vessel safety standards, the Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations, 2007 has undergone a comprehensive update.
“An extensive consultation process, which involved key stakeholders from the small vessel industry and relevant governing bodies, played a pivotal role in shaping the amendments to the existing regulations.
“In total, 120 people attended the sessions, and these sessions provided a platform for constructive dialogue, enabling stakeholders to voice concerns, propose recommendations, and contribute valuable insights based on their expertise and experiences,” said Ms James
By working collaboratively with stakeholders and leveraging the latest advancements in safety standards, the regulations aim to safeguard lives, protect the environment, and ensure the sustainable growth of small vessel operations in national waters.
She further pointed out that: “As the small vessel fraternity continues to evolve, the updated Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations underscore the commitment of regulatory authorities to prioritize safety, promote best practices, and foster a culture of compliance within the maritime industry.
“The successful revision of the regulations serves as a testament to the collective efforts from external stakeholders, SAMSA Officials which include the Maritime Legislation unit, Surveyors, Technical Support Unit and Boating unit among other SAMSA officials have worked tirelessly to facilitate the revision process from inception to fruition.
“Once again, we extend our gratitude for the presence of stakeholders during the consultation sessions,” said Ms James.
Meanwhile, on actual work on the ground to enhance the safety boating, a launch and deployment of a specially trained SAMSA Enforcement Officers comprising an initial 95 officers on waterways and slipways countrywide proved worthwhile, according to the SAMSA Boating unit. To read more this, Click here.
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