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Marine Traffic Act, 1981 (Act No. 2 of 1981)

Regulations

Marine Traffic Regulations, 1985

Chapter III : Right of Innocent Passage

3. Right of Innocent Passage

 

For purposes of these Regulations navigation in such a manner as is necessitated by a vessel's normal activities shall be deemed to constitute "passage" as defined in section 1 of the Act in the case of the following vessels:

[Words preceding (a) substituted by section 3 of the Marine Traffic Amendment Regulations, 2026, Notice No. 4132, GG55299, dated 4 September 2026]

 

(a) South African national fishing vessels;

 

(b) South African national utility vessels;

 

(c) South African national vessels used for sporting or recreational purposes;

 

(d) foreign fishing vessels which have been chartered or which have contracted or which are otherwise authorised in accordance with the laws of the Republic to operate within the territorial waters;

 

(e) foreign utility vessels which have been chartered or which have contracted in accordance with the laws of the Republic to perform services within the territorial waters; and

 

(f) foreign vessels used for sporting or recreational purposes, provided such vessels are in possession of written permission granted by a local authority or other Government authority or by an authorised agency to use the territorial waters for such purposes, such permission to clearly state the area in which the said vessels may be used and the type of sporting or recreational activities which may be practised.