A LEGAL APPRAISAL OF SAFETY AT SEA AND MARINE POLLUTION, COLLISION AT SEA, SALVAGE, SHIP WRECK AND POLLUTION OF SHIP IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Abstract
Safety at sea is a complex and challenging issue, but it is one that is essential to the safe and efficient
operation of the maritime industry. Currently marine pollution is an increasing threat to a healthy marine
environment. Indeed, marine pollution may severely damage the environment, including ecosystems, and
human health. The paper examined the topic; “Safety at Sea and Marine Pollution, Collision at Sea,
Salvage, Ship Wreck and Pollution of Ship”. The research methodology adopted is the Doctrinal Research
Method where both primary sources of law derived from constitution, statutes, subsidiary legislations,
caselaw, treaties, conventions, and protocols, while the secondary sources were derived from textbooks,
journals and electronic articles from verified sources. The objective of the presentation includes: the
conceptual clarification of terms such as pollution; analyzing the concept of safety at sea, marine pollution,
and more; highlighting the safety at sea, marine pollution and international laws ratified by Nigeria, a
comparative analysis of best practices from other jurisdictions. The paper finds that issue of marine
pollution is at the forefront of international discussions; that as comprehensive as the Nigerian Law of the
Sea may seem in the books, they are plagued with the challenge of adequate implementation, checks and
supervision. The paper gave a concise conclusion on issues bothering on safety at sea and marine pollution,
as well as practicable recommendations on more enlightened ways Nigeria can embrace international
decisions on the protection of the sea from pollution and degradation through adopting a legal framework
that draws on international laws of sea and foreign laws of other nations.