A training to strengthen the country's expertise in investigating marine catastrophes in line with international norms began in Accra yesterday.
Certain measures are mandated by the Casualty Investigation Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Participants are also required to leave the course with the necessary knowledge and abilities for organising an inquiry, using mandated criteria, and spotting dangers.
The purpose of a marine casualty inquiry is to gather data that may be used to foresee potential future incidents and identify potential regulatory changes.
Participants
The two-week course is being held by the Regional Maritime University (RMU) and is being attended by 35 people from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Ghana Institute of Marine Surveyors, the Mariners Club, and the Ghana Institute of Maritime Surveyors.
The interpretation of the maritime accident casualty investigation code, the procedure for conducting a marine casualty investigation, reporting on casualty investigations, search and rescue strategies, and other topics will be covered with the participants.
Dallas Laryea, the IMO Regional Representative for West and Central Africa, stated during the opening ceremony that flag states like Ghana had a responsibility to look into any casualty that occurred on one of their ships and to report the findings to the IMO via the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).
According to Capt. Laryea, Article 94 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) stipulates that a flag state should cause an inquiry to be conducted by or before a person who is appropriately competent.
He emphasized that the goal of such an examination was to ascertain what modifications to the current laws could be desired and what corrective measures were to be implemented to improve the safety of seafarers and passengers and safeguard the maritime environment.
In light of the aforementioned circumstances, Capt. Laryea stated that "IMO encourages the promotion of a common approach to the safety investigation of marine casualties and incidents, in particular, based on the implementation of the Casualty Investigation Code and the guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident."
In a welcoming speech, Yaw Akosa Antwi, Deputy Director General of GMA, said that governments needed to show more interest in the maritime sector due to the evolving structure of the different international regulations related to it.
He asserted that the problem of maritime fatalities included both the safety of sailors and vessel catastrophes.
"It is thus essential that we leave no stone unturned in our efforts to guarantee that professionals who examine accidents involving seafarers at sea are highly proficient at what they do," added Mr. Antwi.
In its hasty efforts to implement the casualty inquiry rules, the Ghana Navy and the GMA worked together to form investigative teams to look into a number of recent occurrences, including the MV Comforter II and other canoe transport mishaps on the Oti and Sene rivers.
Mr. Antwi stated that the authority has started the process to create a Maritime Accident Investigation Board as part of ensuring marine security and achieving the anticipated sector growth.
He exhorted the participants to take advantage of the chance the course presents to advance their level of subject-matter competence.
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