IMO Action Plan addresses ferry safety

Following recent losses of domestic ferries worldwide, including the sinking of the Rabaul Queen in Papua New Guinea in February 2012, safety fears have been growing.

The Pacific Forum, which was attended by 45 participants including administrators, shipowners, operators and policy makers, representing 15 countries, gave the maritime industry the chance to discuss domestic ferry safety policies, procedures and activities.

The Forum focused on the need for regional support and national solutions for domestic ferries. Issues that were discussed at the forum included safety programmes, vessel specific concerns, legislative, regulatory and compliance matters, seafarer training and certification, operational issues, search and research and safety awareness activities.

Bekir Sitki Ustaoglu, head of the Asia and Pacific Section, technical cooperation division, IMO, told Maritime Journal: “This Action Plan has been adopted through a Forum with the necessary input from all stakeholders. However, implementation will be challenging and IMO, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and in the wider concept with the Pacific Islands Maritime Association (PACMA), contemplates to organise a follow up meeting biannually, for the time being, to monitor the progress.”

He added: “It is envisaged that in 2013, IMO will conduct a regional seminaron search and rescue with a view to improving the search and rescue capacities and to provide continued progress towards advancing prevention and response capabilities within the region.