Merchant Shipping Amendment Act 18 of 1992

The Merchant Shipping Amendment Act 18 of 1992 intends:

• to amend the Merchant Shipping Act, 1951, so as
• to define or further define certain expressions;
• to exclude the territory of South West Africa from the application of the Act and to extend the scope of the Act in respect of certain persons, and objects on vessels;
• to extend the powers of officers and courts;
• to make new arrangements in connection with the disposal of the property of a deceased seaman;
• to determine further requirements in respect of safety on ships not registered in the Republic;
• to further provide for the elimination of defects;
• to make further provision in connection with the reporting to a proper officer of accidents to ships and accidents on board ships;
• to make other arrangements in connection with preliminary enquiries into shipping casualties;
• to provide that reports of preliminary enquiries into shipping casualties shall only be disclosed to a court of marine enquiry or a court of law;
• to extend the powers of a court of marine enquiry to members of the crew, and to empower such a court to impose a fine;
• to make other provision in connection with the penalties which may be imposed for offences;
• to indemnify certain persons from civil liability in respect of failure to perform acts in terms of the Act;
• to provide for the appointment of safety officers, safety appointees and safety committees and the election of safety representatives;
• to extend the powers of the Minister to make regulations;
• to provide for the incorporation of safety standards in the regulations; and
• to emend certain obsolete references; and
• to provide for matters connected therewith.

Commencement

1 May 1991 (Gazette 13190 of 26 April 1991)