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National Ports Act, 2005 (Act No. 12 of 2005)

Rules

Ports Rules

Chapter 2 : Vessel Movements and Related Matters

Part H : General

56. Incidents in the approaches and within ports

 

(1) The master of a vessel that is within or about to enter the approaches to a port or within port limits must ensure that a report is made to the Harbour Master about any of the following matters as soon as the master becomes aware of them:
(a) the occurrence on board the vessel of any fire or explosion;
(b) the involvement of the vessel in a collision, grounding or striking;
(c) any defect in the vessels hull, main propulsion systems or steering systems, radars, compasses, radio equipment, anchors or cables;
(d) any discharge or threat of discharge of dangerous goods or other harmful substances from the vessel into the water;
(e) another vessel in apparent difficulty;
(f) any obstruction to navigation;
(g) any aid to navigation that is functioning improperly, damaged, off-position or missing;
(h) the presence of any dangerous goods or harmful substances in the water;
(i) the presence of a vessel that may impede the safe movement of other vessels;
(j) any weather conditions that are detrimental to safe navigation;
(k) any matter that may affect the safety and security of the vessel, its crew or passengers and the port, or any matter that may affect the environment; and
(I) any other navigational or environmental incident.

 

(2) The owner or master of a vessel that has been involved in any navigational incident within the approaches to or in a port, or any environmental incident within a port, whether or not damage is done to any property, including underwater property, must —
(a) immediately report the incident to the Harbour Master as well as any other applicable regulatory body or government department;
(b) submit to the Harbour Master a full written report setting out the circumstances of the incident, within 24 hours after the accident or before the departure of the vessel from the port, whichever is the sooner; and
(c) furnish any further particulars that the Harbour Master may require.