National Ports Act, 2005 (Act No. 12 of 2005)

Rules

Purchase

With respect to any vessel about to enter or within a VTS zone and for the purpose of promoting safe and efficient navigation, the VTS may —

(a)	give a traffic clearance to a vessel to enter, leave or proceed within a VTS zone,

(b)	direct the master, pilot or person in charge of the bridge watch of the vessel to provide relevant information in respect of that vessel,

(c)	direct the vessel to use specific radio frequencies in communications with coast stations or other vessel;

(d)	advise the vessel of —

(i)	the non-availability of a berth required for the vessel;

(ii)	pollution or reasonable apprehension of pollution in the VTS zone,

(iii)

the proximity of animals whose well-being could be endangered by the movement of the vessel;

(iv)	any obstruction or hazard to navigation in the VTS zone,

(v)	the proximity of a vessel m apparent difficulty or presenting a pollution threat or other hazard to life or property;

(vi)	the proximity of a vessel navigating in an unsafe manner or with improperly functioning equipment or radio equipment, or without charts or publications required by these rules or any other law; or

(vii)

vessel traffic congestion that constitutes an unacceptable risk to shipping, the public or the environment; and

(e)	in the light of one of more of the conditions referred to in sub-rule (d), direct the vessel—

(i)	to leave a VTS zone,

(ii)	to leave or refrain from entering an area within a VTS zone, or

(iii)

to proceed to or remain at a location within a VTS zone.