South Africa Ratifies Fishing Vessel Treaty
South Africa has become the seventh state to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement. The treaty, which implements the Torremolinos Protocol, covers various fishing vessel safety requirements including radio communications, life-saving appliances and arrangements, and emergency procedures, musters and drills. Peace Kennedy, Counselor at the South African High Commission in London, presented the instrument of ratification to International Maritime Organization (IMO) Senior Legal Officer Jan De Boer at IMO’s London headquarters on August 19.
HMAS Anzac Visits Portsmouth, UK
The Royal Australian Navy’s helicopter frigate HMAS Anzac has arrived in Portsmouth, England, as part of her NORTHERN TRIDENT 2015 deployment. Anzac departed Sydney in March 2015, and has transited the Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, Suez Canal, the Mediterranean Sea and most recently the North Atlantic en route to Portsmouth. During the five month deployment, the ship has represented Australia at Centenary of Anzac commemorative events in the Sea of Marmara, Cape Helles, Gallipoli and Italy and Malta. Anzac’s Commanding Officer Commander Belinda Wood, RAN, described the visit as being historically significant, as well as an important stop to recharge before beginning the long trip home to Australia.
Jamaica Reelected to the IMO Council
In a fiercely contested election during the 28th IMO Assembly, Jamaica was successful in securing a seat in the most sought-after Category ‘C’ of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2014-2015 biennium. The Jamaican delegation was led by The Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, and attended by Admiral Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), and senior officers of the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) and the MAJ.
India Responds to Korea Court Decision
In response to questions on the decision of the Court in the Republic of Korea to sentence two Indian mariners, an Indian government spokesperson said, on Dec. "Government of India is aware of the decision of the Court in the Republic of Korea to sentence two Indians – Captain J. “This matter was taken up by Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea. At this meeting Government’s disappointment about the decision of the Court to reverse the earlier decision in which the two merchant marine officers were exonerated, as well as Government’s distress at the harsh prison sentences, was conveyed to the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.
