KINGSTON, Georgetown – Several initiatives have been put in place to improve safety throughout the nation’s waterways, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn told members of National Assembly yesterday.
Minister Benn outlined several of the measures being taken by the local maritime administration as he responded to a motion put before the House to have a Commission of Inquiry (COI).
The COI, when established, will make inquiries into maritime and riverine incidents which have occurred since January 1, 1999, to determine the extent of such incidents, and to make recommendations for safe travel and the protection of life on the country’s waterways and coastal waters.
Some of the measures outlined by the minister include the provision of 1,000 life vests/jackets to schools within riverine communities, with 200 already being handed over; contracting of a public relations firm to conduct recurrent training for boat operators on safety and operational issues, training of riverine pilots, certification of sailors and other boat operators and the establishment of a benevolent fund to assist victims of river and sea-going mishaps.
