The MV Barima Commission of Inquiry was informed on Tuesday that the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has a shortage of Shipping Inspectors, according to Inspector of Shipping, Micheal Carrington.

Carrington, who participated in the search, rescue and recovery operations following the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima, is one of eight Inspectors of Shipping at MARAD.

He told the Commission of Inquiry that the Inspectors of Shipping Department is under staffed, explaining that the department needs about four times more the number of Inspectors of Shipping currently employed, based on the volume of vessels traversing the country’s waterways.  

“To be honest even if I give you a number it all depends on the number of vessels coming into our system. Our responsibility continues to increase because we have more vessels come into service. It means more vessels to be on the waterway to monitor,” Carrington told the Commission.

Inspectors of Shipping, according to Carrington, carry out both random and annual inspections on small wooden vessels (water taxis) ranging 23ft and below, as well as the larger vessels including ferries. Inspections are also conducted if there is a reported incident involving a vessel.

The navigation system, safety equipment and maritime documents including certificates are inspected during those inspections, Carrington explained.

Though he could not disclose the total number of vessels that are inspected by MARAD annually, he said on average, four vessels are inspected weekly based on the size.

Carrington told the Commission that he never inspected the MV Barima but conducted inspections on some of the other ferries.

Those inspections revealed that those vessels needed general maintenance while the lifesaving equipment, including firefighting equipment, needed servicing.

It was also disclosed that during those inspections, the registrations, statutory certificates, certificate of inspection, radio license and other documents with regards to the load line and tonnage were not on the vessels.

The Commission would then hear that those ferries also had no International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) certificate, ship stability documentation or loading manuals.

Carrington told the Commission that once there are major breaches or deficiencies, vessels are barred from operating until corrective measures are taken and the vessels are reinspected by the Inspectors of Shipping.

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