Maritime authority to get tough on shipowners, operators

THE National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) will not be easy on ship owners and operators who knowingly operate unseaworthy vessels.
Chief executive officer Paul Unas said this following the arrest and charging of a ship owner and captain of a tug boat operating in a log pond in Western recently.
According to Unas, the boat was allowed to sail to Musa in Northern while under the authority’s detention last year due to deficiencies.
He said the ship owner and captain of the tug boat were arrested and charged under Section 331 of the Criminal Code Act for sending and taking an unseaworthy ship to sea.
Both were refused bail initially but later released after their bail applications was granted at the Popondetta National Court and now they were now awaiting their second mention.
He said the vessel was detained after NMSA ship inspectors conducted a routine flag state inspection at Tapila log pond on the Fly River.
Upon return to the log pond to carry out a follow up inspection, it was discovered that the tug boat had already departed for Northern while still under detention.
It was determined that none of the deficiencies identified in the log pond had been rectified and the captain had knowingly operated the boat with its deficiencies.
Unas said sending an unseaworthy ship to sea was a serious offence as it endangered lives, cargoes and the marine environment and was punishable by law.
“This should be a warning to other ship owners and operators who operate unseaworthy vessels, that NMSA will not hesitate to deal with them under the relevant laws of this country,” he said.
Unas said NMSA is mandated to ensure safety of life at sea by enforcing national and international maritime laws to promote safety of maritime transport and ensure best and safe shipping practices in the country.
He encouraged police officers and community leaders in other maritime provinces to work together to prevent sea incidents due to operations of unseaworthy vessels.