Safety and security at sea: An examination of international and national regulations and institutions

In the last 150 years, the rapidly growing industrialization and correspondingly exponential increase in production, liberated economies, increased demand and consumption, improved production, communication and transportation technologies have also developed the trade between countries and continents. Today, 90 per cent of the world trade is being carried by seaborne transportation.In addition to commercial carriage, the increase in the overall level of prosperity in the world and the technological developments in all areas including the maritime industry also increased marine tourism and sea transportation. Seas, covering three-quarters of the earth, have been a great resource for both animate and inanimate natural supplies. Today, due to developed maritime technology the increased ability to harvest these resources more efficiently and comprehensively is continuously reminding mankind the importance of the seas. The increase in cultural, touristic and sporting activities in the sea pursuant to the level of prosperity also caused the seas to be used intensively. Therefore, in parallel to all these facts mentioned above, the concepts of safety and security at seas have become more and more important and critical.In this study, the concepts of safety and security at seas are examined comparatively based on the continuously increasing importance of the seas due to the fact that the majority of world trade is being carried over the seas and due to the overall increase in usage of seas in transportation, communication, natural resources, sports and cultural touristic activities.In this study, the legal regulations and current practices on safety and security at sea is reviewed generally and some points that are considered to be important are examined more thoroughly. Bearing in mind Turkey's own subjective conditions and needs, the current regulations and institutions of Turkey on safety and security at sea are examined with a critical approach.