Juridische aspecten van het ongeval met de Mont-Louis
Franckx, E. (1986). Juridische aspecten van het ongeval met de Mont-Louis. Water 5(31): 60-61 In: Water: Tijdschrift over Waterproblematiek. VLARIO vzw/vzw Water: Wijnegem. ISSN 0770-7193, more Also appears in:(1986). Referatenboek "het Belgisch Continentaal Plat". Water: Tijdschrift over Waterproblematiek, 5(31). VLARIO vzw/vzw Water: Wijnegem. 5-67 pp., more |
| Abstract | The collision of the French Ro:Ro cargo ship Mont Louis with the German ferry Olau Brittania on August 25, 1984 gave rise to a lot of interesting juridical questions, among which those relating to public international Law of the Sea. Three different aspects are highlighted in this respect. First, the salvage of 50 cylinders of uranium hexafluoride (of which 22 were empty, and 30 filled with 7,5 tonnes each). Although France is not party to the 1973 Protocol to the 1963 Intervention Convention, it did sign a salvage contract on August 27, which, however, only covered the cargo. The high valuable property was certainly the major motive behind this swift action of France. Secondly the prevention of oil pollution. Although Belgium in casu did have intervention powers under international law, it considered the measures taken by the salvors of the cargo to be adequate. Finally the salvage of the wreck of the Mont Louis. International law is not very clear on this point, for it does not oblige anyone to salvage wrecks laying in international waters. Since Belgium was the most interested party, it bore the costs of the operation. The question remains, however, whether it was the only interested party. The conclusion to be drawn is that Belgium should start shaping up its municipal legislation in order to be better prepared if a similar collision would occur in the future. The extension of the territorial sea from 3 to 12 nautical miles, and the proclamation of an exclusive economic zone should be very helpful in this respect. |
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