Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 127A).

This Act makes provision with respect to ownership, registration, licensing and marking of ships in Seychelles and to a wide variety of matters relating to navigation in Seychelles waters and by Seychelles ships. It also concerns transportation of various goods (including grains in bulk, oil and dangerous goods) and marine pollution. The Act consists of 245 sections divided into 17 Parts. It is completed by three Schedules. Some provisions of the Act and Regulations made under it shall not apply to a fishing vessel registered under the law for the time being in force requiring the registration of any such vessels.
There shall be a Department of Government called the Port and Marine Services Division and a Register of Seychelles ships. The Harbour Master may be appointed the Registrar of Shipping, Registrar of seamen and a Shipping Master.
The provisions of this Act shall be without prejudice to the laws relating to the protection of the Marine Environment or any incident involving pollution from shipping. Where there is no law or where such law is deficient in Seychelles relating to the protection of the Marine environment or any incident involving pollution from shipping the Minister may in consultation with the Minister responsible for environment make Regulations for the protection of the marine environment and other activities relating to the safety of shipping.
Subject to this Act and to any other law, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, the International Convention on Load Lines 1966 and International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 shall have the force of law in Seychelles. The President may, by Order, declare that any Convention relating to shipping, shall have effect in Seychelles, subject to the conditions, limitations or reservations, (if any), stated in the order and the Convention shall have effect accordingly.