Assembly’s IAC meets with SMSA |09 October 2023
The meeting between IAC members and the SMSA delegation
The National Assembly’s International Affairs Committee (IAC) met with a delegation from the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) last Tuesday to review the Nairobi Convention on the Removal of Wrecks.
The IAC’s delegation was led by its chairperson, Waven William, and other members namely the vice-chairperson, Wavel Woodcock, Philip Monthy, Egbert Aglae, Kelly Samynadin, Phillip Arissol, and deputy clerk, Alexandria Faure.
In attendance from SMSA was the chief executive, Capt. Daniel Adam, accompanied by the senior registration officer, Emmanuelle Hoareau.
The meeting began with an overview of the Convention by Capt. Adam, outlining its implications to Seychelles.
The main purpose of this Convention is to establish a legal framework for the prompt and effective removal of wrecks that pose navigational hazards and/or environmental threats to the seascape, applying to vessels of a 300 tonnage minimum.
One of the major issues addressed by the committee was the cost burden for the authorities, seeing as Seychelles has limited financial resources assigned to wreck removals and salvaging operations.
Reassurance was given that the Convention would ensure liability for wreckage removal would fall to the ship owners, thus eliminating the financial burden on the country. However, salvage contractors would most likely have to be outsourced from the region.
The International Maritime Organisation also considers the constraints of small island developing states (SIDS) to implement its Conventions and makes provision guidelines as alternatives to supplement the regulations.
The Committee welcomed the Convention, although expressing great concern on the exclusion of the fishing vessels from its provisions and their generally unregulated nature in international maritime law as they are at higher risk of creating wrecks. In particular, illegal fishing vessels and other pieces of equipment abandoned at sea.
The IAC enquired on whether the Convention could be applied nationally to rectify this gap on fishing vessels. Capt. Adam assured the Committee that such recommendations could be considered.
The IAC committed to endorsing the Convention and reassured its support to the Authority in all its endeavours, including the implementation of the Convention to ensure a balance of maritime safety and conservation of the marine environment and ecosystems.