In an effort to establish a safety culture within the shipping industry, local and international government entities launched a three-day workshop, on Marine Safety/Environmental Protection on Tuesday.
The exercise, sponsored by the U.S. Southern Command, coordinated by the U.S Coast Guard and hosted by the Port Authority, will address topics related to commercial vessel safety and environmental response/cleanup responsibility, for commercial vessels. Discussion topics will include passenger safety, issues and challenges, dangerous goods and enforcement.
According to Acting Permanent Secretary with The Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Lorraine Armbrister, the Port Department has, in collaboration with other government agencies and The Bahamas Maritime Authority, drafted a national action plan, that will focus on the development of maritime safety within the industry.
“The national action plan concentrates on the growth and development of the maritime industry of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The plan is a working document; designed to be continuously updated, in keeping with national priorities and regional developments,” she said.
Mrs Armbrister added, that focus will be placed on various components within the industry, including, but not limited to international maritime instruments, national legislation and administration, maritime safety, marine environmental protection, civil liability and compensation for oil pollution, maritime port safety and the training of seafarers.
According to Brent Williamson, Assistant Port Controller, members of the local shipping industry, will also participate in the workshop, as they too, play a crucial role in marine safety and conservation efforts. Mr Williamson further noted, that the views and opinions of workers in the industry, will facilitate the efforts being made to improve the system that governs marine safety.
Mrs Armbrister further added, that equally important to the efforts made to improve maritime safety, are the goals of ensuring that The Bahamas’ fisheries remain in tact, and that the beaches and marine life are preserved. She went on to say that ship owners and operators must therefore, take responsibility for ensuring that anti-pollution procedures are developed.
“Due diligence must be exercised by cruise lines, with respect to the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, and by the purveyors of oil and other potentially harmful materials, which provide the greatest risk of irrevocably damaging our environment,” she said. “I am therefore pleased to report, that The Port Department is in fact in the process, of obtaining oil spill equipment, which is scheduled to arrive in The Bahamas, this very month. This initiative is but one of the measures to be undertaken.”
According to Lieutenant Commander, Terry Johns, U.S. Coast Guard, The United States Government is taking such a keen interest in the improvement of marine safety in The Bahamas, because poor marine safety measures in the country can have a major impact on The United States’ economy.
“The United States depends on The Bahamas to continue their safe practices because we do share in tourism and trade interests, so we too want to make sure The Bahamas stays safe also for our own interests,” he said.
Leaning on the survival of previous accidents experienced by both countries, such as the sinking of the Titanic in the U.S., Commander Johns added, that this workshop gives both countries, an opportunity to assess what changes can be done in order to improve marine safety, within the countries.
Mr Williamson added, that planning is of greatest importance in ensuring marine safety.
“Accidents happen within the marine environment, but one of the most crucial factors is planning. Training and information exchange are crucial to development,” he said.
The three-day workshop will include information sharing sessions between agencies, visits to locations at the ports and a review of what was discussed, to determine the way forward.
Participants from the Maritime and Port Authorities, and Marine Units of The Royal Bahamas Police and Defence Forces will attend the seminars.
By: IANTHIA SMITH, Nassau Guardian Staff Reporter
