Safety at sea
Shipping companies operate to the highest safety standards set by the
International Maritime Organisation (IMO). In addition, the safety of life at sea is protected in the
SOLAS Convention.
Jurisdictions where commercial vessels are registered (Flag States) have international obligations to make sure these vessels are safe to operate. Find more information on
surveys, verifications and certification on IMO.
The
Port State Control legislation allows for the inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify the:
- condition of the ship and its equipment meet the requirements of international regulations
- ship is manned
- ship operates in compliance with these rules
Jersey Coastguard has well practised plans, including support from the relevant emergency services, for incidents of all types and sizes.
Commercial shipping is usually very safe, however accidents can and do still happen. The most likely incidents at sea in Jersey are oil spills and collisions.
Oil spills at sea
Jersey has around 43 miles of coastline and oil spills at sea can cause significant environmental damages. There have been incidents of marine pollution that have affected Jersey. We need to do all we can to protect the fragile coastal and marine ecosystems.
Protecting the environment
Protecting our sea water and coast
The MARPOL Convention is an international convention that governs the prevention of pollution from ships.
Pollution prevention on IMO.
We have developed contingency plans to deal with marine pollution incidents. If an incident happens, Jersey can ask assistance from a number of UK companies and the UK government. We also carry out regular exercises in preparation to respond to pollution incidents.
What you need to do
To avoid oil spills and keep yourself protected in case of incidents you should:
- regularly check your oil tank, boiler and pipes for leaks or corrosion
- report any signs of pollution, whether on land or at sea
- if a pollution incident is reported, avoid polluted areas and listen for advice and information on local radio stations or official social media platforms
- cooperate with organisations during any clean-up operation
- do not look or search in any cargo that may be washed ashore. This could be dangerous and is a criminal offence
- keep pets and other animals away from polluted areas. If you see any animals which have become polluted or distressed report it to the
JSPCA
Many pollution incidents can be avoided. If you run a business, then make sure you avoid and deal with pollution incidents appropriately.
Pollution prevention for businesses on GOV.UK.
Marine environmental management: detailed information on GOV.UK.
Collisions at sea
Collisions at sea are very rare. Shipping companies operate to the highest safety standards set by the IMO. These companies and their vessels are carefully monitored by the regulatory authority in their country.
Jersey works closely with the other Channel Islands, the UK and France, to protect the lives of those at sea. There are cross-border arrangements in place to assist with this.
What you need to do
When you’re on a boat or ferry, you should:
- be aware of the onboard emergency procedures and assembly stations
- listen carefully to all announcements by the crew
- look at the detailed ship plans on the walls to help you locate emergency exits
- check travel restrictions for carriage of dangerous goods and pets
- check the ferry company websites for more travel information before departure
Safety and environmental standards on passenger ships on IMO
gov.je