29 November 2013

COLLEGE OF LAW AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES SCHOOL OF LAW UNIT OF MARITIME LAW AND MARITIME STUDIES THE REGULATION OF THE REMOVAL OF HAZARDOUS SHIPWRECKS IN SOUTH AFRICAN WATERS AND A DISCUSSION ON THE ADOPTION OF THE NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE REMOVAL OF WRECKS, 2007. STUDENT NAME : YINITA RAMSAKKAN STUDENT NUMBER : 208500262 Mini Dissertation submitted to the School of Law in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Master of Laws in Maritime Law. SUPERVISOR : MR. V. SURBUN 29 NOVEMBER 2013. DECLARATION I, YINITA RAMSAKKAN, declare that: i. The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original work. ii. This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. iii. This thesis does not contain other persons’ data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. iv. This thesis does not contain other persons’ writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced have been quoted, then: a. Their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced; b. Where their exact words have been used, their writing has been placed inside quotation marks, and referenced, v. Where I have reproduced a publication of which I am author, co-author or editor, I have indicated in detail which part of the publication was actually written by myself alone and have fully referenced such publications. vi. This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the References sections. CANDIDATE: ________________________ 29 NOVEMBER 2013. YINITA RAMSAKKAN DATE TABLE OF CONTENTS: Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………………………. i List of Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………………….. ii Definitions…………………………………………………………………………..……………. v Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………….. vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………… 1 1.1 Background ………………………………………………………………………………… 1 1.2 Consequences of a shipwreck ……………………………………………………………… 2 1.2.1 Safety Concerns ………………………………………………………………………. 2 1.2.2 Liability ……………………………………………………………………………….. 2 1.3 Objectives …………………………………………………………………………………… 3 1.4 Pivotal issues to e investigated …………………………………………………………….. 4 1.5 structure of the dissertation ……………………………………………………………….. 4 CHAPTER 2: THE NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE REMOVAL OF WRECKS, 2007………………………………………………………….. 6 2.1 Introduction…………..………………..………………………………..…………………... 6 2.2 Key events leading to the development of the Nairobi Convention…...…………………. 7 2.3 Legal framework of the Nairobi Convention……………………….…………………… 15 2.3.1 Article 1-Application of the Convention (Definitions)……………………………… 15 a. Article 1(1)-Convention Area…………..………………………..……….…….... 15 b. Article 1(2)-Ship……………………………………….………………………… 16 c. Article 1(3)-Maritime Casualty………….……………………………………….. 17 d. Article 1(4)-Wreck……….………………………………………………………. 17 e. Article 1(5)-Hazard…………………….………………………………………… 18 f. Article 1(6)-Related Interests…………….………………………………………. 19 2.3.2 Article 2-Objectives and general principles………………………………………….. 20 2.3.3 Article 3-Scope of application……………………………………………………....... 20 2.3.4 Article 4-Exclusions…………………………………………………………………... 21 2.3.5 Article 5-8: Obligations of the parties………………………………………………... 21 2.3.6 Article 9-Measures to facilitate the removal of wrecks……………………………….. 22 2.3.7 Article 10-11: Liability regimes of the owner………………………………………… 23 2.3.8 Article 12-Compulsory Insurance…………………………………………………….. 26 2.3.9 Article 18-Entry into force……………………………………………………………. 27 2.4 Shortcomings of the Nairobi Convention………………………………………………... 27 2.4.1 Historic Wrecks……………………………………………………………………….. 27 2.4.2 Other Shortfalls…..…………………………………………………………………… 30 2.5 Conclusion………………...……………………………………………………………….. 32 CHAPTER 3: APPLICATION OF THE NAIROBI CONVENTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM………………………………………………………………….. 33 3.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………...…………… 33 3.2 Recent Incidents demonstrating the need for reform………………….……………….. 33 3.3 Current legislative framework governing wreck removal in the UK………………….. 36 3.4 Conclusion………………………………………………………..……………………….. 40 CHAPTER 4: A SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE……………………………………... 42 4.1 Introduction……………………………………………..…………………………………. 42 4.2 A review of the hazardous wrecks that occurred along South Africa’s coastline……... 43 4.2.1 Places of Refuge………………………………………………………………………. 43 4.2.2 Wrecks which causes a navigational hazard…………………………………………. 44 4.2.3 Abandoned Wrecks……………………………………………………………………. 45 4.2.4 Inadequate insurance to cover damage to the environment………………………….. 48 4.3 Review of the current legislation governing wreck removal in South Africa………… 49 4.4 Recommendation………………………………………………………………………… 52 4.4.1 A way forward for South Africa in terms of the Nairobi Convention……………… 52 4.4.2 Problems with implementation of the Nairobi Convention………………………… 55 a. A conflict between the Safety Management Regulation and the Nairobi Convention……………………………………………………………………. 55 b. Limitation of the shipowner’s liability and the Nairobi Convention….……...…. 55 4.4.3 Enforcing the Nairobi Convention…………….…………………………………... 57 4.5 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….. 59 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………….. 60 BIBLIOGRAPHY………..……………………………………………..…………………….. 64 1 Table of Statutes………………………………………………………………………………64 1.1 International Conventions……………...………………………………………………… 64 1.2 National Legislation………………..…………………………………………………….. 64 1.2.1 United Kingdom National Legislation…….…………..…….......………………… 64 1.2.2 South African National Legislation, Regulations and Bills………..………….…... 65 2 Table of Legal Instruments………………..………………………………………………. 65 2.1 IMO Legal Documents……………..……………………………………………………. 65 2.2 ITOPF/IOPC Fund Legal Documents………..……………………………………..…… 67 2.3 CMI Legal Documents……………………..…………..…………………………..…….. 67 2.4 Other Legal Documents and academic references..……………………………….………68 3 Table of Books……………….………………..…………………..………………………… 70 3.1 International………...……..……………………………..………………………………..70 3.2 Chapter in books……………….………………………………………………………… 71 3.3 South African………………………………..…………………………………………… 71 4 Table of Articles………………..……………………………………………………………. 71 4.1 Journal Articles………………………………..………..………………...……………… 71 4.2 Other Articles……………………………………..……………………………………... 72 4.2.1 International newspaper articles……………………………………………..…….72 4.2.2 South African newspaper articles………………..…….…………………………...73 5 Table of Case Studies……………………………………………………………………….. 76 5.1 International Incidents……..………………………………………………………….....76 5.2 South African Incidents……..….………………………………………………………..76 ANNEXURE A: EXTRACT OF THE WRECK AND SALVAGE ACT 94 of 1996………77 ANNEXURE B: NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE REMOVAL OF WRECKS, 2007…………………………………………………………... 79 Acknowledgements Undertaking the task of completing a dissertation is not an easy one and it requires an immense amount of time, dedication, emotional strength and perseverance. This year has been a rollercoaster of emotions but I acknowledge the presence of the following people who never abandoned me during those dark days. First and foremost, this journey that I have embarked on, from my first year of law, would not have begun had it not been for the loving support of my parents, Asha and Ashok Ramsakkan. I understand the sacrifices you have made to allow me the opportunity of furthering my education in the field of law. The adventurous new journey that I have embarked on this year, in attempting to complete an LLM in Maritime Law would not have been completed thus far had not been for the moral support, strength, encouragement and constant motivation that you have bestowed upon me. I thank you both most sincerely for everything you have done and for assisting me emotionally and giving me strength, throughout the LLB and now the LLM process. To show my gratitude, I dedicate this dissertation to you both. Another instrumental person in my life is my brother, Yitheen. Without your constant support in assisting me in making my life decisions and being my confidant, this process would have been a very dull one. Thank you for always knowing the right things to say and listening to my cries. You gave me hope to get through those dark days during this extraordinary year. With regard to the academic side of this dissertation, a very special thank you goes to Mr. V. Surbun and Dr. C. Goodier for your contributions. Thank you, Mr. Surbun, for supervising this dissertation and entertaining my constant queries and concerns. Your professional assistance this entire year in clarifying and understanding my thinking is greatly appreciated. With your expertise and guidance I was able to complete this dissertation without veering off-track. Thank you, to our academic writing expert, Dr. Goodier, whom I also owe a great deal for assisting me the entire year, not only for this dissertation but for all the assignments that I have submitted. Your time in reading every word I wrote and the feedback given is greatly appreciated. List of Abbreviations 1957 Convention - International Convention Relating to the Limitation of the Liability of Owners of Seagoing Ships, 1957 1996 Protocol - Protocol of 1996 to amend the Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims AJRA - Admiralty Jurisdiction Regulation Act 108 of 1983 Bill 20B - Merchant Shipping (Civil Liability Convention) Bill 20B, 2013 Bunkers Convention - International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker

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