Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)

A ship security plan must include a statement to the following effect:

"The master of the ship has the overriding authority and responsibility to make decisions with respect to the safety and security of the ship and to request the assistance of the ship operator or of any contracting government to the SOLAS Convention, as may be necessary,".

The ship operator for a South African regulated ship must ensure that the ship security plan for the ship is protected against unauthorised access, amendment and disclosure.