Eight lives were lost last year due to boating accidents, according to Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Director Claudette Rogers.
Speaking at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s recent year-in-review press conference, Rogers related that there were six boating accidents that resulted in the deaths of five persons and three incidents that resulted in the deaths of three.
In 2015, she noted, there were six accidents which resulted in four deaths and twelve incidents which resulted in 14 deaths.
In light of the continuous accidents and incidents on the rivers, Rogers pointed out that MARAD has been able to establish three main maritime safety centres in Bartica, Charity and Mabaruma that are currently in operation. “These centres will assist in regularising the licensing of boat operators and boats in those areas and improve on maritime safety,” she said.
As part of MARAD’s efforts to promote maritime safety, Rogers related that it was able to distribute more than 100 lifejackets to students in several areas where boating is one of the main forms of transportation.
In terms of other works, she pointed out that the administration was able to pilot 1,128 vessels in the Demerara River compared with the 944 in 2015 and 107 in the Berbice River as compared with 90 the previous year.
She noted too that with the help of the ministry, MARAD was able to gain the approval for a nominee to attend the World Maritime University. Additionally, 16 cadets have commenced training at the MatPal Marine Institute, which she said, will further enhance capacity building within MARAD.
With respect to 2017, she said it is intended for MARAD to employ an architectural engineer to determine the structural integrity of the wharves within the harbours of Guyana.
