ATC191203: Report of the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the Hydrographic Bill [B17B-2018] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 3 December 2019

NCOP Security and Justice

Report of the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the Hydrographic Bill [B17B-2018] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 3 December 2019:
 

The Select Committee on Security and Justice, having deliberated on and considered the subject of the Hydrographic Bill [B17B-2018] (National Assembly – sec 75), referred to it on 30 October 2018 and classified by the JTM as a section 75 Bill, reports that it has agreed to the Bill without proposed amendments.

 

Background

The Hydrographic Bill’s (the Bill) primary objective is to:

  • Establish the Hydrographic Office,
  • provide for the safety of navigation in the - exclusive economic zone and internal waters of the Republic,
  • ensure that hydrographic surveying is done in accordance with the requirements of internationally accepted specifications and standards,
  • provide for the appointment of the Hydrographer, and
  • provide for the powers and duties of the Hydrographer.

 

  1. Public participation process on the Hydrographic Bill [B17B-2018] (National Assembly – sec 75)

 

The 5th Parliament Select Committee on Security and Justice advertised the Bill on the electronic platforms of Parliament on 4 February 2019 with a deadline for written submissions of 1 March 2019.

 

  1. Summary of Submissions:

 

No submissions were received.

 

  1. Committee oversight to SA Navy Hydrographic Office

The Committee visited the Hydrographic Office on 3 December 2019. The Committee noted that Egypt and SA are the only fully functional Hydrographic Offices in Africa. Navigational Area 7, over which SA is responsible for accurate information and communication with maritime users, is one of the largest areas to survey and maintain operational competence. The Hydrographic Office is serviced by the SAS Protea, which is a 47-year-old vessel that will be replaced in 2021/22. The Hydrographer serves on numerous committees and sub committees including the Southern African and Islands Hydrographic Commission (SAIHC). The budget cuts in the SA Navy prevents the Hydrographer from attending meetings both nationally and internationally and this impacts negatively on our contribution to the regional and international developments in this area. The Hydrographic Office is also the only training facility in the country and in Africa to train personnel in the fields required and is aiming to expand this to include youth development programmes.

 

  1. Committee consideration of the Hydrographic Bill [B17B-2018] (National Assembly – sec 75)

 

The Select Committee received a briefing from the Department of Defence on the Bill on 29 October 2019. The Committee considered the Bill on 3 December 2019.

 

  1. Proposed Amendments agreed

The Committee did not propose amendments to the Bill.

 

  1. Consensus on the Bill
    1. Support for the adoption of the Bill was unanimous.

 

Report to be considered.

 

 

Documents

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