A recent visit to Guyana by representatives of the International Maritime Organisation ended with the body roasting the local Maritime Administration over several failures in strengthening and developing agreed maritime programmes and initiatives.

News Source has learnt that during the visit, it was pointed out that the local body continues to fail to implement the international maritime dangerous goods code.

That code refers to the international guideline for the safe transportation or shipment of dangerous goods or hazardous materials by water or vessel.

Additionally, the body found that there was no constant verification of ships carrying cargo under the provisions of the grain code, which covers large shipments of grain in bulk.

The report also examined Guyana’s system when it comes to Port State Control Officer, which refers to persons who would carry out port state inspection of vessels. The International body found that the existing training programmes that were developed by the Maritime Administration for Port State Control Officers had not been updated in accordance with the latest amendments to the mandatory International Maritime Organisation instruments.

The IMO team also pointed out in their findings, according to sources, that although Guyana is party to the international organisation’s rules and requirements for ports having appropriate reception facilities for for noxious liquid substances from ships, local ports were found not to be equipped with such facilities.

The Maritime Administration was also flagged for its failure to implement several safety codes that covered various aspects of the maritime industry.

The IMO also raised concern about local investigators of maritime casualties not having the working knowledge and practical experience to carry out proper investigations in keeping with international standards that Guyana has signed onto.

The Maritime Administration was warned about the many lapses in its management of the maritime sector and also encouraged to have more training conducted for persons involved in its work.

The full report was handed over to the local body and is expected to be forwarded to the Government for review and changes.

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