The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) says this year's theme is 'Piracy - orchestrating the response' - a theme chosen as part of efforts to safeguard human life at sea. The body is hoping to rally enough global support to eradicate the phenomenon.
To this end, the following objectives will be pursued during the year:
The South African government, through the Department of Transport with the support of SAMSA, has through the years intensified its efforts to fight piracy.
SAMSA is a custodian of some of the best technologies in the world that monitors the movement of ships bound for South Africa.
The Long Range Identification Tracking System (LRIT) technology, housed at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch and response in Cape Town, is a beacon of hope in the fight against Piracy.
The South African Maritime Authority, together with the Department of Transport, marked the day in the port city of Richards Bay, where Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele joined other dignitaries in observing World Maritime Day.
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