South African Maritime Safety Authority
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is a South African government agency established on 1 April 1998 as a result of the 1998 South African Maritime Safety Authority Act 5.[1] as such it is responsible for the implementation of current International & National Regulations regarding the Maritime Industry as well as upon all recreational marine vessels within its jurisdiction.
SAMSA via the administration and/or management of all things marine related is in effect the governing authority and as such is required to investigate maritime accidents/incidents & to provide various marine related services both on behalf of Government as well as to Government.
Overview of services [2]
To & on behalf of Government:
- Advise Government on maritime issues relating to or affecting South Africa
- Administer current legislation & policies, submit additional proposals thereon as & when required so as to flag State Implementation
- Represent South Africa at international forums, liaise with foreign governments & other International institutions on behalf of South African Government
- On behalf of the Minister of Transport liaise with other South African institutions & various State Departments
- Administration of government maritime contracts
- Provide a maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) capability within the South African area of responsibility - via the management (on behalf of DOT) of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)
- Conduct Accident investigations and provide Emergency Casualty Response
- Control of State Ports, including management of the DOT contracted pollution prevention and response capability
To Maritime Industry (local & International):
- Conduct Statutory surveys and issue Safety certification of vessels
- Certification of Seafarers
- Provide Assistance and advice on maritime legislation
- Provide advice & grant approval in construction and refitting of vessels, including the evaluation & approval of fittings & equipment used.
- Consultancy to industry on technical matters, safety and qualifications
To Stakeholders:
- Safety equipment approval
- Port State Control Inspections
- Inspections of ships and cargoes of timber, grain and hazardous goods
- Accreditation of maritime training institutions and maritime training programmes
- Monitoring of South African seafarers’ welfare and conditions of service
- Provision of maritime safety information to shipping & ensuring a reliable radio service
- Ensuring that navigational aids are in place around the South African coastline
- Assimilation and maintenance of shipping information and statistics
It is subordinate to the Minister of Transport, who heads the Department of Transport. Despite it being a marine authority its head office is over 500 km away from the nearest ocean in Pretoria.[3]
SAMSA administers the South African ship register.[4]
In July 2012 the authority acquired the former Antarctic supply vessel S. A. Agulhas as a training ship.[5]
References
- ^ "About Us". SAMSA. 1 April 1998. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ "Overview of Services". SAMSA. 1 April 1998. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ "Contact Us". SAMSA. Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ "Only foreign ships transport SA's exports". Mail & Guardian. SAPA. 1 October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "SA Agulhas now a training vessel". DefenceWeb. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
External links
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