Section 10, The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration Act, 2000

(1) The object for which the Administration is established is to regulate and develop improved standards of performance, practice and safety in the shipping industry in Sierra Leone, including the coastal and inland water transport system, and in the maritime environment. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), it shall be the responsibility of the Administration to carry out the following functions:— (a) to administer, in addition to the administration of the Registration of Shipping Act, 1965 referred to in the new Clause (14), any other legislation relating to maritime affairs; No. 11 Sierra Leone Maritime Administration Act 2000 7 (b) to ensure the safety of navigation in the territorial sea; (c) to fulfil flag state and port state responsibilities in an effective manner having regard to the relevant international maritime conventions, codes and other instruments; (d) to deal with maritime search and rescue matters including the coordination of the search and rescue operations of the Armed Forces of Sierra Leone, the Ports Authority, and the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources; (e) to regulate shipping in inland waterways, including the safety of navigation therein; (f) to cause to be investigated any incidents of maritime casualty and taking such action thereon as may be appropriate; (g) to plan, monitor and evaluate training programmes against any maritime conventions and to oversee the training, recruitment and welfare of Sierra Leonean seafarers accordingly; (h) to ensure in collaboration with such other public bodies as the Board may determine the prevention of maritime source pollution, protection of the marine environment and response to marine environment incidents; (i) to pursue the ratification or accession and implementation of international maritime conventions in conjunction with other appropriate agencies of Government; (j) to assess the manpower needs of the maritime sector for national planning purposes; (k) to liaise effectively with other public bodies of maritime transport and related transport matters 8 No. 11 Sierra Leone Maritime Administration Act 2000 for the purposes of harmonizing activities in the maritime industry; (l) to initiate research into national maritime transport development for effective planning and coordination; (m) to ensure an efficient, cost-effective and orderly provision of shipping services, including the determination of rates for freight and passenger services; (n) to initiate action for the promotion, establishment and development of private shipping lines; (o) to propose policies for the development and maintenance of maritime infrastructure such as ports and harbours with other interested organizations in Sierra Leone; (p) to advise the Government on maritime affairs generally; (q) to represent Sierra Leone at both national and international fora on maritime matters, and (r) to do all such things as will contribute to the attainment of 'the objective of the Administration stated in subsection (1). [Margin: Power to impose freight levy on ships.] [Margin: Act No. 56 of 1964.]