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MARAD/US Coast Guard seminar…Implementation of improved port security codes highlighted

Mar 26, 2014 News

Recommendations were made yesterday for the implementation of international maritime security measures, which will combat global acts of terrorism and preserve Guyana’s international trade and export markets. This was done as a three-day training exercise between the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the United States Coast Guard got underway.
Several high-ranking officials of the local Maritime Department, including Chief Port Security Officer of MARAD, Dwayne Nurse and Director General of MARAD Claudette Rogers were in attendance at the seminar which is being held at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street Georgetown.
According US Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander, Jonathan M. Mangum, the capacity building session is aimed at providing strategies for the implementation of international shipping and port facility codes, which will further strengthen Guyana’s defence against acts of terrorism and criminal activities at sea.
He explained that from time to time, best practices on methods of preserving border safety paramount to international conflicts have been exchanged between the two Governments.
Mangum pledged the United States’ commitment to improving port security in Guyana, noting that periodically the US Coast Guard unit will carry out theoretical and practical drills to strengthen the discipline.
“Owing on from the terrorism events on 11 September 2001, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to develop security measures applicable to ships and port facilities. These security measures have been included as amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention,” he said.
According to the US Coast Guard Commander, the code has two parts; Part A is mandatory while Part B is recommendatory, and which basically is aimed at establishing an international framework between contracting governments, government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries to detect/assess security threats and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade.
The objectives are to be achieved by the designation of appropriate security officers/personnel on each ship, port facility and in each shipping company, to prepare and to put into effect the security plans that will be approved.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn noted that the activity is critical to providing local maritime officials with strategies, which further improve Guyana’s economic capacity.
“These events provide opportunities for us to assess and identity our training needs and therefore implement methods of screening, as well as maintaining a clean marine environment which will ensure the kind of culture and setting for business opportunities and improved economical development.”
While noting the importance of working to ensure maritime industry has improved security measures in place to combat global acts of terrorisms and preserve the export market and economy, Minister Benn said that the issues of port security training and maintaining the environment and the culture must be treated with continuous emphasis.
Noting that there are a few incidents where Guyanese were found in unfortunate circumstances, in foreign territories, while at sea, the Minister stressed the importance of MARAD being aware of all information to provide assistance to international law enforcement agencies, whenever Guyanese vessels are held overseas.
“We need to have a seriously improving, robust maritime industry. It is vital for officials overlooking the security of the ports to know what is on board…who is on board. This is critical in the everyday operations of the shipping industry,” Benn told the gathering.
The Minister said that the Maritime Department must remain focused on ensuring the improved border integrity and urged officers to continue to maintain the actions which promote sustainable port security and facilitate continuous growth for the future development of Guyana.

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