See the ENTRI query system for information about the signatory status of this treaty.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION RELATING TO INTERVENTION ON THE HIGH
SEAS IN CASES OF OIL POLLUTION CASUALTIES
Objectives
==========
To enable countries to take action on the high seas in cases
of a maritime casualty resulting in danger of oil pollution of sea
and coastlines; to establish that such action would not affect the
principle of freedom of the high seas.
Summary of provisions
=====================
(a) Parties may take such measures on the high seas as may be
necessary to prevent, mitigate or eliminate grave and imminent
danger to their coastline or related interests from pollution or
threat of pollution of the sea by oil (art. 1);
(b) Before taking action, a coastal State should notify the
flag State of the ship, consult independent experts and notify any
person whose interests may reasonably be expected to be affected by
such action. In cases of extreme urgency measure may be taken at
once. In any case the coastal State must endeavour to protect human
life and assist persons in distress (art. 3);
(c) Such measures shall not go beyond what is reasonably
necessary to achieve the end mentioned in article 1, and shall be
proportionate to the damage, actual or threatened (art. 5).
Membership
==========
Open to all Members of the United Nations, members of the
specialized agencies or IAEA or parties to the Statute of the
International Court of Justice. Instruments or ratification,
acceptance, approval or accession to be deposited with the
Secretary-General of IMO.
Date of adoption 29.11.1969
Place of adoption Brussels, Belgium
Date of entry into force 6. 5.1975
Languages English, French
Depositary IMO
Participant Entry into force
----------- ----------------
Argentina 20. 7.1987
Australia 5. 2.1984
Bahamas 20.10.1976
Bangladesh 4. 2.1982
Belgium 6. 5.1975
Benin 30. 1.1986
Bulgaria 31. 1.1984
Cameroon 12. 8.1984
China 4. 5.1990
Côte d'Ivoire 7. 4.1988
Cuba* 3. 8.1976
Denmark 6. 5.1975
Djibouti 30. 5.1990
Dominican Republic 6. 5.1975
Ecuador 23. 3.1977
Egypt 4. 5.1989
Fiji 6. 5.1975
Finland 5.12.1976
France 6. 5.1975
Gabon 21. 4.1982
Germany 5. 8.1975
Ghana 19. 7.1978
Iceland 15.10.1980
Ireland 19.11.1980
Italy 28. 5.1979
Japan 6. 5.1975
Kuwait 1. 7.1981
Lebanon 3. 9.1975
Liberia 6. 5.1975
Mexico 7. 7.1976
Monaco 6. 5.1975
Morocco 6. 5.1975
Netherlands** 18.12.1975
New Zealand 6. 5.1975
Norway 6. 5.1975
Oman 24. 4.1985
Panama 6. 4.1976
Papua New Guinea 10. 6.1980
Poland 30. 8.1976
Portugal 15. 5.1980
Qatar 31. 8.1988
Russian Federation* 6. 5.1975
Senegal 6. 5.1975
South Africa 29. 9.1986
Spain 6. 5.1975
Sri Lanka 11. 7.1983
Suriname 25.11.1975
Sweden 6. 5.1975
Switzerland 14. 3.1988
Syrian Arab Republic* 6. 5.1975
Tunisia 2. 8.1976
United Arab Emirates 14. 3.1984
United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern
Ireland*** 6. 5.1975
United States
of America**** 6. 5.1975
Yemen 4. 6.1979
Yugoslavia 3. 5.1976
* With a declaration.
** Extended to the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname.
*** The Convention was extended to Hong Kong on 6. 5.1975;
Bermuda on 1.12.1980; and Anguilla, the British Antarctic
Territory, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and Dependencies, Montserrat, Pitcairn,
Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, St. Helena and Dependencies, the
Turks and Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom Sovereign Base Areas
of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the Island of Cyprus on 8. 9.1982.
**** Extended on 6.5.1975 to American Samoa, Guam, the Panama
Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
and the United States Virgin Islands.
Convention Secretariat
======================
International Maritime Organization
4 Albert Embankment
London SE17SR, United Kingdom
Telephone: 071-735-7611
Fax: 071-587-3210
Telex: 23588
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