(KINGSTON) The Director Maritime Safety, Maritime Administration Department, John Flores travelled with a team of officers from MARAD to the areas of Imbamadai and Kamarang in the Upper Mazaruni River on March 15, 2017. The visit was to conduct River Navigation training for boat operators which was held at the Warawatta Multi-Purpose building in Kamarang.
Thirty (30) boat operators participated in the training session. The participants were drawn from Quebanang, Waramadong, Jawalla, Phillipi, Kako, and Kamarang.
Operators were briefed on River Navigation and Safety Regulations by Capt. John Flores who encouraged the operators to practice the river safety rules while traversing the waterways.
A Deputy River Navigation Officer from MARAD, David Mittlehozer highlighted to the operators the importance of the river navigation regulations which are currently in effect in the riverain areas. Non-adherence to these regulations can lead to prosecution, Mr. Mittlehozer admonished.
At the end of the training, ten (10) operators who had fulfilled the requirements, were granted certification and given licenses to operate in the Upper Mazaruni area.
Meanwhile, a team from MARAD’s Safety Division also visited the New Amsterdam and Rosignol areas in Region Six on March 15, 2017, on an outreach which involved the issuance of licenses to fishermen in that area.
With safety being high on MARAD’s agenda, training for boat operators will continue countrywide.
