S.L. 499.34 Art. 20Maritime Safety and Pollution Prevention Committee. Re-numbered by: L.N. 506 of 2010.

(1) There shall be established a Maritime Safety and Pollution Prevention Committee (hereinafter referred to as "the

Committee") to advise and make recommendations to the Authority on general ways of dealing with -

(a) a ship involved in an accident, an incident or a pollution event;

(b) an evaluation of the risks involved if such accident, incident or pollution event affects or threatens the related interests or the economy of Malta; and

(c) the co-ordination of responding to such accident, incident or pollution event, in the case the Authority decides that it should take appropriate measures with a view to minimizing the consequences of an incident or accident at sea.

(2) The following senior public officials shall be ex officio members of the Committee:

(a) the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for shipping and ports, who shall be the Chairman;

(b) the Chairperson of the Authority;

(c) (revoked as a result of Act XV. 2009.49.);

(d) the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta;

(e) the Commissioner of Police;

(f) the Director of the Civil Protection Department; and

(g) the Chairperson of the Environment and Resources Authority.

Provided that the Minister may appoint other persons as members of the Committee who appear to him to have the experience and to have shown the capacity in matters relating to maritime safety and oil pollution prevention and control.

(3) If any vacancy in the Committee occurs on account of death, resignation or for any other cause, the vacancy shall be filled by the senior public official acting or deputizing for the positions described in sub-regulation (2): Provided that the Committee and the members thereof may continue to act notwithstanding any such vacancy.

(4) The Committee shall appoint a deputy Chairman who shall act instead of the Chairman whenever the Chairman is absent from a meeting of the Committee or is unable for any reason to act as Chairman.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this regulation, the Minister may at any time terminate the appointment of an appointed member, if, in his opinion, such appointed member is unfit to continue in office or has become incapable of properly performing his functions.

(6) The Chairman of the Committee shall, from time to time, appoint a secretary to the Committee.

(7) The Committee shall meet as often as necessary, but in no case less frequently than once in every three calendar months.

(8) The Committee may to co-opt members to the Committee and to decide on the composition and terms of reference of sub-committees or of expert groups to which it can give special tasks.

(9) The Committee shall regulate its own procedures.

(10) In those cases where the Authority fails to deem it, or does not deem it, appropriate, or does not agree with the advices and recommendations of the Committee, it shall provide the Minister with all relative information and justification immediately following the receipt of such advices and recommendations.