The Guyana Maritime Administration (MARAD) today convened a meeting
along with stakeholders to develop an effective strategy to implement
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) instruments.
Director General of MARAD, Claudette Rogers joined with a consultant
from the Global Maritime Consultants Group (GMCG), Gail Stoll and the
CEO of International Register of Shipping (IRS), Bijimon Punnoose to
engage the stakeholders in this regard.
Rogers explained this meeting was arranged to kick off the Guyana
International Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) project and it comes
on the heels of an audit which was conducted in February of this year.
The Audit of the Maritime Administration in Guyana looked at areas
pertaining to IMO instruments, implementation of the triple I code,
referring to coastal, flag and port state inspections.
“At the conclusion of the audit, there were four findings and one
observation under general responsibilities and obligations of the
state. Nine findings and two observations under flag state activities,
four findings and no observations under coastal state activities and
five findings and no observations under port state activities.” Rogers
explained. She also indicated that there was an equal number of good
practices which were revealed, as well as areas where improvements
were could be facilitated.
IMO instruments are conventions and codes/rules, namely SOLAS, LSA
code and MARPOL. The GMCG will play a critical role in assisting MARAD
in moving towards corrective action for findings and strategic
implementation.
Gail Stoll, an overseas-based Guyanese, said her involvement in the
project provides her with the opportunity to give back to the
development of such an important sector in her home country. Stoll
says she looks forward to seeing MARAD in Guyana become a model in the
Caribbean.
“Indeed, such a mammoth task will not be possible without the valuable
feedback and active support of the stakeholders who are here today
that is the reason why we are interacting with you, the well
experienced and highly knowledgeable professionals who know the
nitty-gritty of the maritime sector in and around Guyana.”
Bijimon Punnoose presented the scope of the project, its strategic
objectives, flag, coastal and port state obligations in addition to
the IMO findings and observations which were discussed.
Participants included representatives from MARAD, Ministry of Public
Infrastructure, Transport and Harbours Department, Guyana Defence
Force Coast Guard, Civil Defence Commission, National Frequency
Management Unit, Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of
Agriculture
