Cayman delegation attends REG Conference
The REG Conference celebrated its 30th anniversary
(CNS Local Life): Red Ensign Group (REG) members from across the world recently converged on the Bailiwick of Guernsey to discuss maritime matters of interest. The 30th anniversary of the 2018 REG Conference was attended by delegates from all 13 of the group’s British Ship Registry jurisdictions including the UKK, the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
For the first time, the conference encompassed a special forum dedicated to discussions on coastal states’ international obligations for maritime safety, stated a press release.
Representing the Cayman Islands in talks regarding maritime safety obligations was Deputy Chief Officer for the Ministry of Immigration, Michael Ebanks, who was accompanied by Acting Inspector and Commander of the Joint Marine Unit, Damenian Maxwell, and Senior Weather Forecaster for the Meteorological Office Gilbert Miller.
“When it comes to reducing sea navigation risks, marine accidents and marine pollution, we have an obligation not only to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) but also to the Cayman Islands’ residents and visitors alike,” Ebanks said.
The conference’s coastal state forum was funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund, and facilitated dialogue on matters including international codes, maritime safety standards, safety of navigation, and marine search and rescue.
Maxwell said of the discussions, “It’s clear that while each Overseas Territory and Crown Dependency may be geographically different, we are tackling similar maritime safety risks, making cooperation and communication essential among stakeholders.”
Achieving and sustaining compliance with the IMO Triple I Code will require coordination across various government entities, said the release.
Wesley Howell, Chief Officer for the Ministry of Immigration and Chairman of the Steering Committee for Strategic Maritime Safety and Border Security, said, “We view maritime safety as a key enabler of the Cayman Islands’ economic and social prosperity, which makes the work of those involved in raising the bar on safety standards exceptionally valuable.”
Over the next two years, ahead of an audit by the IMO in 2020, the Cayman Islands, along with the other Overseas Territories, Crown Dependencies, and the UK, will be working to strengthen its national maritime safety framework to comply with the Triple I Code. Although a number of international organisations contribute to maritime safety by preparing international conventions, the IMO is considered one of the most important, the release stated.
“While we don’t know for sure that we will be one of the jurisdictions audited by the IMO, our aim, nevertheless, is to continually improve our maritime safety strategies to a world-class standard,” Ebanks said.
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Congrats to these 3 engaged young men!
Cayman’s Coastal State, Port State and Flag State responsibilities currently sit in at least 3 seperate buckets.
CIG has until mid-September 2018 to understand the mutually inclusive and symbiotic relationships among these 3 areas and to develop and implement a cohesive national strategy to underpin this. If CIG does not, someone else will.
We can be hopeful that with at least 3 more informed voices supporting CIG in achieving this strategy that our maritime future can be brighter. Thanks again gentlemen.