In a circular dated April 21, 2026, Éric Prévost Jr., Director General of the Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH), acting within the scope of his legal authority regarding navigational safety and maritime policing, formally orders all owners and operators of coastal vessels operating in Haitian waters to comply without delay with the applicable regulations.

"It has been duly noted that several vessels are operating in violation of the obligations relating to periodic dry-dock maintenance, in contravention of, in particular : the SOLAS Convention (1974 as amended) and the relevant provisions of the Haitian Maritime and Navigation Code.

Consequently, any vessel in violation is ordered to produce, within a strict period of fifteen (15) clear days from the date of notification of this circular : a valid dry-docking certificate, or a duly completed hull inspection technical report."

If the situation is not rectified within this timeframe : the navigation permit will be automatically suspended without further formality; all maritime activity will be prohibited. The competent authorities will be called upon to enforce these measures, including by force if necessary.

SEMANAH will not tolerate any situation likely to endanger human lives or harm Haiti's marine environment.

HL/ HaitiLibre