The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has collaborated with the Coast Guard to have joint enforcement, marine exercises in the riverain areas of Guyana. These activities commenced on July 17, 2017 in the Parika/Supenaam area.
The marine exercises will be ongoing, and involves joint patrols, comprising of MARAD Officers, Fisheries Officers, and the Coast Guard who will check the certification and registration of vessels and boat operators, and also ensuring that the operators comply with all river safety rules.
Areas to be targeted include, Bartica, Mazaruni, Charity, Pomeroon, Moruca, Mabaruma, Morawhanna, Port Kaituma, and Berbice.
MARAD, being the regulatory agency for the river laws, has the responsibility for the Registration and Licensing of vessels and operators in Guyana, under the River Navigation Act Chapter 50:01, while the enforcement of these laws, lie within the constabulary powers and capabilities of the Guyana Police Force and the Coast Guard.
Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation conducted regarding the recent boat collision in the Moruca River involving a 40HP, and 75HP powered wooden vessels which claimed the lives of two passengers stated that, the operators of both vessels were unlicensed, and also were unequipped with navigational lights. The bodies of one of the two missing persons have since been recovered.
Passenger vessels are allowed by the Administration to operate after sunset whenever there is an emergency case involving the transporting of sick persons to the nearest hospital; however some operators are non-compliant in this regard.
MARAD will continue in its effort to ensure that the river safety rules are maintained on the country’s waterways.