–distributes children’s life jackets

A TEAM of Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) officers and Regional Chairman, Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice), Mr. Bindrabhan Bisnauth, visited the Mahaicony Creek area on Wednesday to sensitise boat operators on the importance of having their boats inspected and certified, and the value of lifejackets and other safety practices.In a press release MARAD said that the visit was initiated by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, following reports received about poor conditions of boats and laxity in operational practices in the area.

The people in riverine communities such as the Mahaicony Creek depend upon marine transportation. However, most of the boat operators are unlicensed, MARAD noted.

Meanwhile, as part of the effort to promote safety on Guyana’s waterways, a total of 74 children’s life jackets were distributed to schools in the Mahaicony Creek area. The schools are Gordon Table Nursery and Primary School, Karamat Primary School and Mora Point Nursery School.

At the Gordon Table Nursery and Primary School, the teacher, Ms. Laurain McLennon expressed her gratitude to MARAD for the donation of 25 children’s life jackets and assured the team that she would ensure the children of her school wear their jackets whenever travelling on a boat.

Head teacher of the Karamat Primary School, Mr. Lalto Paul was very grateful for 33 life jackets for the children in light of concerns he expressed about unsafe practices by boat operators in the area. He also spoke about the timeliness of the donation and thanked MARAD for the initiative.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by the head teacher of the Mora Point Nursery School, Ms. Bindoo Inshan as she received 16 lifejackets for the students of her school.

The Regional Chairman in brief remarks to the boat operators, encouraged them to equip their boats with lifejackets, and to ensure that their passengers wear them at all times while traversing the waterways.

He repeated one of MARAD’s themes that “lifejackets save lives.” Then in closing, he thanked the team from MARAD for the donation of the children’s life jackets.

MARAD will continue its safety campaign to other regions of Guyana in keeping with its mandate of promoting maritime safety.