Input is sought by 6 October 2024 on a draft Aeronautical & Maritime Search & Rescue Bill intended to align the regulation of search and rescue operations with ever-evolving domestic and international developments. Once in force, the proposed new piece of legislation will repeal and replace the South African Maritime & Aeronautical Search & Rescue Act, 2002.
Focusing largely on governance and related matters, the draft Bill follows a review of government policy on search and rescue. According to a memorandum on the Bill’s objects, it seeks to create ‘an enabling environment for the efficient conduct of search and rescue operations in South Africa’.
In a speech delivered in February 2023 at a ‘high level conference’ on search and rescue, former Transport Deputy Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga drew attention to four key elements of improved search and rescue capabilities:
This was noting that the function of search and rescue ‘has in large measure been enabled strongly by voluntary organisations’.
The draft Bill goes some way towards addressing these issues.
Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch
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