Chapter 11 - Seas and UNCLOS

Question 1

What is UNCLOS

Answer 1

United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea. A legal framework for the protection of the marine environment and marine activities.

Question 2

Difference between port state survey and flag state survey

Answer 2

Flag state survey and inspection is a convention obligation. Flag state refers to the country where the vessel is registered to, holds sole jurisdiction in the high sea. Adopts and enforces convention by ensuring their registered ships comply with the rules and regulations by conducting regular inspections on the ships. Once ships comply with the rules and regulations, they will be issued with certificates.

Port state survey and inspection is a convention right, it is to check for ships entering its port to ensure they comply with convention standards and to detect violations. The decision to inspect ships or not is up to their discretion.

Question 3

What is PSSA

Answer 3

Particularly sensitive sea areas. These areas needs special protection by IMO due to its significance for ecological, socio-economic and scientific research reasons that can be posed to be vulnerable to the damage by maritime activities.

Question 4

What is Marine Pollution

Answer 4

The introduction of substances and energy into the marine environment directly or indirectly by man that can cause harm to the marine resources or create hazards to human health, a hindrance to fishing, and legitimate users of the sea.

Question 5

Jurisdictions: UNCLOS vs IMO

Answer 5

UNCLOS – describes the circumstances, safeguards, geographical zones of flag states, port states, costal states
IMO – not jurisdiction function over ships as they only develop international law pertaining to shippinG