IN observance of World Maritime Day last Thursday, Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Claudette Rogers, addressed a batch of Marine Cadets at the Boathouse at Stabroek, Georgetown.

She made ‘safety’ her watchword.She told the group that, based on the theme this year, ‘100 years after the Titanic’, MARAD has made significant strides in promoting safety for mariners and seafarers.
She said that both the loss of lives and damage done to property at sea have been minimised; and added that the
sinking of the Titanic in 1912 gave birth to the international convention which was established to promote safety at sea.
She said Guyana is part of the Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAX) Convention.
World Maritime Day is historic for ports and the shipping industry, she said, and reflected on MARAD’s accomplishments over the years.
Ms. Rogers told the batch that safety must not be overlooked on any vessel, since it can save lives and prevent maritime accidents.
She urged the trainees, seven of which are females, to take up the challenge to become inspectors and experts at their jobs.
Also making remarks at the event was Chief Navigation Officer, Michael Tennant, who said it was the first time that women are part of the training course.
He encouraged the group to maintain MARAD’s standards by portraying a professional attitude, and he expressed hope that they would all become successful in their careers.
He also encouraged them to bring new ideas to the system.
Mr. Tennant disclosed that MARAD hopes that safer ships, cleaner oceans, and overall improvement of maritime safety would result from the interaction.
The Chief Engineer of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Mr Harry Boodhoo, spoke to the marine cadets about river pollution. He told them to always put safety first, as this would guide them in the line of duty.
Harbour Master, Volton Skeete, who underscored the need for safety and outlined the essentials of promoting safety in maritime duties, also spoke to the cadets yesterday.
Chief Pilot, Geoffrey Babb, who also spoke, said that after 19 years on the job, he still gets the adrenalin rush whenever he was on a vessel. He encouraged the batch to adopt that same attitude towards work, telling them it would help them to graduate with honours.
He noted that in five years’ time, they would be 10 Inspectors and 14 Trainee Pilots; and he said he expected them to make MARAD proud, since nothing is gained without hard work.
Babb said that seamanship is not difficult, once a positive mental attitude is displayed; and he noted that MARAD needs young people with skills, since no country can survive without commerce, and the waterways are more economical to promoting trade.
The 24 Marine Cadets all detailed their experiences in the training course yesterday. They are looking forward to becoming qualified in their chosen field in five years’ time.