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The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration has confirmed that several vessels abandoned in the country’s territorial waters are now legally classified as wrecks and have become the property of the Government of Sierra Leone after no owners came forward to claim them within the stipulated 30-day notice period.
This development was disclosed by Beach-Cleaning activist Trevor Young following a meeting with Dr. Daniel Kaitibi of the Maritime Administration. According to Young, Dr. Kaitibi confirmed that no owner or operator used the proper maritime channels to file a claim for the vessels within the required timeframe.
As a result, all vessels that had been left abandoned in Sierra Leone’s waters are now officially categorized as wrecks under maritime law. In line with this classification, the Maritime Administration will assume responsibility as the Receiver of Wrecks, giving the government legal authority over the vessels.
During the discussion, Dr. Kaitibi also raised concerns about two vessels currently located at Lumley Beach. He noted that the reported owner or operator, identified as Tandeen, did not follow the legal process required to file a claim through the Maritime Administration.
Instead, the operator was reportedly engaging with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources rather than the Maritime Administration, which is the legally recognized authority responsible for handling such maritime claims.
This development has raised questions about the nature of those interactions and whether any unauthorized arrangements may have taken place outside the proper maritime legal framework.
Dr. Kaitibi stressed that the Maritime Administration intends to strictly enforce existing maritime laws moving forward. As part of the enforcement process, all unclaimed vessels have now been formally classified as wrecks under maritime regulations.
He further disclosed that security personnel will be deployed to guard the two vessels currently at Lumley Beach to prevent tampering. In addition, the Maritime Administration plans to issue a public tender next week for the sale or removal of the wrecked vessels.
Dr. Kaitibi also emphasized that the declaration of the vessels as wrecks does not conclude the matter. Authorities are continuing investigations to identify the owners responsible for abandoning the vessels and may impose fines or other penalties in accordance with maritime law.
Observers say the move could mark one of the most significant efforts to enforce maritime regulations in Sierra Leone in more than two decades, with the Maritime Administration indicating that the situation will continue to be closely monitored
