Public encouraged to practice Marine Safety

~~Adz:Right~~ Roadtown, Tortola - Governor David Pearey and Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE both made appeals to the public to practice marine safety as they spoke at the start of Boating Safety Week on Monday.

Governor Pearey described the week as one of the most important because it touches the lives of residents and visitors alike. He noted that as one of the premier sailing destinations, the BVI has to remain safe. 

“To remain a successful industry, it has to remain safe. Thankfully, the BVI has a sound reputation for safety on the water and we have to work to keep it that way,” the Governor said.

Governor Pearey also noted that safety cannot be left only to the experts and must reflect a collective effort. “All BVIslanders and all visitors must be made aware of the critical importance of safety issues on the high seas,” the Governor told those gathered adding that “this is not something that can simply be left to the experts. Safety therefore starts with our children and in the schools,”

In his turn at the lectern, Premier O’Neal also stressed the importance of boating safety and called for children to be exposed to areas like boating. “It is so necessary; it is so important; it is an area in which some of them will be employed when they leave high school or college.”
He added “we must look at this very carefully because we expect our children to take an active part in the sailing business.”

More than 60 students from two primary schools were present for the opening ceremony and the Premier expressed his delight to have them there. ”I am glad to see you here to learn about what is happening,” he said.

Honourable O’Neal also appealed to the boating public not to take safety lightly. “I am glad when I see the boats coming to the wharf and the crew members are wearing their life jackets.”

He also appealed to ferry operators to remind passengers to adhere to safety regulations. “Although the notice is up, be seated while the boat is moving, the passengers get up as soon as the boat gets near the wharf and I notice neither captain or crew speak to them and tell them go back to their seats,” the  Premier said.

Both the Governor and Premier applauded the work of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry under the directorship of Captain Baboucar Sallah, particularly their efforts to promote boating safety. 

In turn, Captain Sallah commended the dedication of VISR’s employees.

“The achievements and successes of the shipping registry have depended in large part to the dedication of the men and women who form the complement of the shipping registry.”

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams who chaired the opening ceremony welcomed the focus on children saying “the earlier we begin teaching them about safety, the better it will be in the future.”

Boating Safety Week is primarily intended to make the boating public more aware of the importance of safety in the BVI’s territorial waters.  

The theme this year is “Be Safety Smart Right From the Start”. The Virgin Islands Shipping Registry is committed to ensuring that vessels operating in the Territory adhere to the highest possible safety standards.