The Deutsches Hydrographisches Institut (DHI) in 1986
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In accordance with §132 of the Bundesberggesetz (Federal Mining Law), the DHI
approved 7 applications for the carrying out of research actions in the region of
the continental shelf of the Federal Republic of Germany and concluded an ad
ministrative agreement. In accordance with the Hohe-See-Einbringungsgesetz
(High Seas Dumping Law), 6 permits for the incineration of wastes at sea were
issued; 3 applications were rejected because - in accordance with the require
ments of the Law - possibilities for disposal on land existed. In two cases objec
tions were lodged against the rejections. The licence for the incineration plant on
board the coastal tanker M.V. "Vesta" was extended for a further two years.
Since January, control flights have taken place over the North Sea and the Baltic
Sea within the framework of a Federal German monitoring system for the preven
tion of oil pollutions. Two DO-28 of the Federal German Navy are operationally
involved. Until the end of the year, 125 oil pollutions were ascertained.
The task delegated to the DHL of the prosecution and punishment of infringements
of the obligation to keep Oil Record Books is of great significance in the fight
against oii pollution. The inspection of the Oil Record Books in the ports serves the
purpose of lessening the introductions into the sea of oily residues from ship
operations. 125 preliminary legal proceedings were instituted and 233 fines were
issued. In 88 cases of punishable acts or illegal offences, which were committed by
vessels under foreign flags, which the Federal German authorities could not prose
cute because of existing procedural hindrances, these were reported to the respec
tive flag state for further prosecution at their end.
Numerous reports concerning important nautical observations, which had been
sent in from voluntary collaborators, were evaluated. Several worthy captains,
ship’s officers, radio officers, and other voluntary.