Draft Fishing Vessel Construction and Safety Regulations Issued for Comment

Posted 07 July 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Transport

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Transport and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) have invited public input on draft regulations regarding the construction and equipping of fishing vessels, including new provisions for fisher labour welfare.

In terms of the Merchant Shipping Act, No. 57 of 1951, the Department of Transport gazetted a notice on 27 June 2025 calling for public comment by 29 August 2025. The draft regulations, which were published by SAMSA on 7 July 2025, seek to modernise the regulatory framework for the maritime fishing sector by addressing vessel safety and seafarer conditions.

The proposed regulations are intended to repeal and replace several legacy regulatory sets gazetted between 1961 and 2000. The draft framework focuses on the following key areas:

  • The construction and structural integrity of fishing vessels;
  • The equipping of vessels with mandatory safety and operational gear; and
  • Specific provisions for “fisher labour welfare” to align with contemporary seafarer safety standards.

Regulatory Impact and Repeals

Once finalised and enacted, these regulations will consolidate and update safety standards that have remained largely unchanged for several decades. Stakeholders have until 29 August 2025 to submit written representations regarding the technical specifications or the welfare requirements contained in the draft.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: If you are a maritime legal practitioner or compliance officer, you must familiarise yourself with the shift from the 1961–2000 regulatory regime to the new consolidated standards to ensure accurate advisory services.
  • For your business: Maritime firms and vessel management companies must assess the potential capital expenditure required to bring existing fleets into compliance with the new construction and equipment specifications.
  • For your clients: Fishing vessel owners and operators should be advised to review the draft regulations immediately to identify any technical conflicts with current vessel designs and submit comments before the 29 August 2025 deadline.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/fishing-vessels-input-sought-on-seafarer-safety-construction-regulations

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