Page 74 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

On the seafront

minimise and mitigate the impacts of
a spill in the unlikely event that one occurs,
and secure the survival of the African
Penguin, together with other marine
species and ecosystems in the biodi-
verse Algoa Bay and along South Africa’s
coastline in general.
The new measures include:
• Prohibited zones: STS operations
are banned within marine protected
areas, aquaculture development
zones, within five nautical miles
of each of these zones, and within
three nautical miles of the high-wa-
ter mark.
• Wildlife protection: Operators must
monitor for penguins and marine
mammals, deploy hydrophone
systems, and report sightings and
incidents. Immediate response
plans must be in place for any oiled
or injured wildlife.
levels are widely considered inadequate. The psychological impact is profound, • Weather limits: In Algoa Bay, oper-
As one seafarer bluntly stated, “Mini- with newer generations of seafarers ations may only take place in safe
mum safe manning levels aren’t actually now accepting as normal what previous conditions, with wind speeds below
safe. Crew members are being removed, generations would have considered 22 knots and wave heights below
and no one cares but us”. The industry extraordinary deprivation. two metres. The Minister may set
faces a self-perpetuating cycle where Finally, digital connectivity remains conditions elsewhere.
reduced crews mean fewer mentorship woefully inadequate in an era of instan- • Pollution prevention: Operators
opportunities, threatening knowledge taneous global communication. Typical must use drip trays, leak detection
transfer and leadership development. monthly internet allowances create systems, inflatable booms, and have
The administrative burden has grown a paradoxical isolation where seafarers a spill-response vessel on standby
exponentially while manning levels are physically separated from loved ones within five nautical miles of shore.
remain static or decrease. Officers while simultaneously unable to maintain • Training and compliance: All crew
spend hours on paperwork that often the digital connections that mitigate such must receive environmental aware-
duplicates information across systems, separation for other remote workers. ness training. Each operator must
leading one chief officer to suggest, also submit an independent Envi-
“What is actually needed is a new South Africa: New regulations ronmental Management Plan,
position: Administration Officer”. This for the environmental approved by the Minister, address-
administrative tide creates a dangerous management of offshore ship- ing site-specific risks.
inversion where “paper safety” takes to-ship transfer operations • Algoa Bay restrictions: Operations
precedence over actual safety practices. The South African Minister of Forestry, are confined to designated anchor-
Fatigue management remains critically Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion ages, with a limit on the number of
challenged by traditional shift patterns George, has signed the Regulations operators and tankers, and seasonal
that disrupt circadian rhythms. Rest hour for the Environmental Management restrictions in Anchorage Area
violations have become normalised, with of Offshore Ship-to-Ship Transfer, pub- 2 to protect sensitive habitats.
falsification of records an open secret. lished under the National Environmental Non-compliance will be met with firm
The cognitive impairment from chronic Management: Integrated Coastal Man- penalties: fines of up to R2 million,
fatigue creates risks comparable to alco- agement Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008). imprisonment for up to five years, or
hol intoxication, yet without equivalent These regulations, which will come into both. Minister George said, “These reg-
recognition or mitigation strategies. force once published in the Govern- ulations are a decisive step to safeguard
The decline of shore leave has trans- ment Gazette, provide South Africa with our oceans and secure the future of our
formed vessels into what many describe a clear and enforceable environmental African Penguin. They set strict stand-
as “floating prisons”. Multiple factors framework to manage offshore ship-to- ards for offshore ship-to-ship transfers,
contribute to shortened port stays, ship (STS) transfer operations, including ensuring that maritime activity can only
including immigration restrictions bunkering. They are designed to prevent proceed safely and responsibly”.
and prohibitive transportation costs. pollution, protect coastal ecosystems,

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