The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Thursday joined the rest of the world in observing World Maritime Day 2017 under the theme “Connecting Ships, Ports, and People”, with the hosting of a safety exhibition.
The event, held at the Parika Ferry Stelling, was aimed at promoting navigational safety.
Director of Ports and Harbours, Louise Williams, speaking to the theme, said that seas and oceans today facilitate over 90 per cent of the world’s trade and movement of people. Williams said that MARAD, over the years, has promoted the
Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings (right) and Director of Ports and Harbours Louise Williams taking a look at one of the booths at the exhibition
use of safe practices on the waterways, through inspections, checking for certification of vessels and crews, and monitoring of water taxis.
She explained that MARAD would soon be launching its “safety awareness stickers to be placed at the bow of the vessels”. The labels will serve to indicate vessels that have been licensed by the Administration, while those without labels would be deemed unlicensed. The decals, Williams said, are another safety precaution aimed at promoting safety on the waterways.
It was pointed out by the Director that MARAD would continue to partner with public and private stakeholders such as the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Farm Supplies, and Reliance Health among others.
“We, as leaders and active players within the sector, strongly desire that maritime transportation in Guyana be the safest way to travel. It is imperative that we make
Curious persons visiting the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard booth at the exhibition
safety not just a culture, but a reality.”
Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings, en route from Bartica, stopped by the exhibition and took a look at some of the booths.
According to the Department of Public Information, the Minister explained that it was a “timely venture and in the Maritime exhibition, I have seen Basic Life Support, so I am glad that they can partner with the Ministry of Public Health to ensure that companies are trained in basic life services and basic life support”.
MARAD was established according to the 1998 Shipping Act, Section 4, which states “There shall be a Maritime Administration Department hereinafter referred to as the “Department”.
The Department is mandated to ensure that there is minimal or no accident on the waterways and the safety of passengers and crew so that the public could continue to have confidence in maritime transport as a safe mode of transportation.
