– to mark World Maritime Day

THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Thursday celebrated World Maritime Day by recognising speedboat operators who comply with maritime safety standards.
The administration also used the occasion to launch the MARAD logo, which is to be placed on speedboats licensed to ply Guyana’s waterways.

The event was held at MARAD’s Ports and Harbours Division at the old Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Boathouse on Thursday morning. Among those recognised for their long and dedicated service to the industry and adhering to safety regulations, were those operators who ply the Parika to Supenaam, Bartica, and Leguan routes.
Also being recognised were the relatives of those who died during speedboat mishaps over the last three years.

According to MARAD Director-General Ms Claudette Rogers, World Maritime Day theme this year, ‘Our Heritage: Better Shipping for a Better Future’, is in keeping with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) focus on addressing current and future challenges in maritime transport, and maintaining sustainable growth.

She also spoke about the growing demand in international trade for bigger ships and the need for port infrastructure to be expanded.

According to the IMO, which turned 70 on March 17, this year’s celebration of World Maritime Day is a time for deep introspection.

“This provides the opportunity to not only take stock and look back, but also to look forward, in order to address the current and future challenges maritime transport may face, as well as to maintain a continued and strengthened contribution towards sustainable growth for all,” the organisation said.

Here in Guyana, MatPal Marine Institute, reputedly the only maritime training institution here, joined sister maritime organisations the world over in commemorating the day.World Maritime Day, though it varies from year to year and from country to country, is observed annually during the last week of September, in celebration of the international maritime industry’s contribution to the world’s economy, especially in shipping.

MatPal, on the other hand, has been facilitating the training and certification of Guyanese and international seafarers since 1999, and continues to pattern itself in accordance with the laws and regulations of the IMO in keeping with its motto, ‘Promoting Excellence through Maritime Training.’

According to Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms Annette Ferguson,
MARAD has since its establishment in 2003 made significant progress in a number of areas within the local maritime environment.This includes training the first batch of maritime cadets; the establishment of safety centres at Charity, Bartica and Mabaruma; and the continuous training of technical personnel and ISPS-compliant terminals.

Minister Ferguson said in closing that MARAD will continue to work with all stakeholders in the maritime sector, such as shipping associations, terminal operators and the owners and operators of vessels, should it be called upon to do so.