Enhancement of port State control for passenger vessels bound for the Antarctic Treaty area
The Representatives,
Recalling Resolution 8 (2009) regarding a Mandatory shipping code for vessels operating in Antarctic waters;
Welcoming the start of work by the International Maritime Organization in February 2010 on a mandatory International Code of safety for ships operating in polar waters (Polar Code);
Acknowledging the duties of the flag State as set out in article 94 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which include inter alia the taking of such measures for vessels flying its flag as are necessary to ensure safety at sea;
Noting articles 218 and 219 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding Enforcement by port States and Measures relating to seaworthiness of vessels to avoid pollution;
Recalling the requirements of the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974; the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL); the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978; and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty;
Conscious that many passenger vessels operating in the Antarctic Treaty area are not flagged to States which are Parties to the Antarctic Treaty or to its Protocol on Environmental Protection;
Concerned about recent incidents involving passenger vessels in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Recommend:
That the Parties proactively apply, through their national maritime authorities, the existing regime of port State control to passenger vessels bound for the Antarctic Treaty area.
The Representatives,
Recalling Resolution 8 (2009) regarding a Mandatory shipping code for vessels operating in Antarctic waters;
Welcoming the start of work by the International Maritime Organization in February 2010 on a mandatory International Code of safety for ships operating in polar waters (Polar Code);
Acknowledging the duties of the flag State as set out in article 94 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which include inter alia the taking of such measures for vessels flying its flag as are necessary to ensure safety at sea;
Noting articles 218 and 219 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding Enforcement by port States and Measures relating to seaworthiness of vessels to avoid pollution;
Recalling the requirements of the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974; the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL); the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978; and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty;
Conscious that many passenger vessels operating in the Antarctic Treaty area are not flagged to States which are Parties to the Antarctic Treaty or to its Protocol on Environmental Protection;
Concerned about recent incidents involving passenger vessels in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Recommend:
That the Parties proactively apply, through their national maritime authorities, the existing regime of port State control to passenger vessels bound for the Antarctic Treaty area.
