| Bermuda. Red Ensign Group thanks Government for successful conference |
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| Friday, 19 May 2006 | |
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Conference news: The annual Red Ensign Group (REG) Conference was hosted by the Government of the Bermuda, at The Grotto Bay Hotel, Hamilton. Mr Duncan Currie, Chief Surveyor of Bermuda Government Department of Maritime Administration acted as Master of Ceremonies and invited Junior Minister of Tourism & Transport Senator Walter H. Roban JP to address the opening ceremony. He welcomed the delegates to the Bermuda and describe the rich maritime history of the host nation. He noted that the REG fleet continues to expand and it remains important to the Government of Bermuda that the shipping registry continues maintain high standards. He thanked the MCA for providing support to Bermuda trainee surveyors and was pleased that the conference will allow time for a presentation on the Youth Training Program Bermudian Sloop Foundation during the conference. He concluded by hoping the delegates have an opportunity to enjoy the many attractions of Bermuda Mr John Astbury, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency thanked the Bermuda Government and Maritime Administration for all the hard work in organising the conference. He was delighted to chair the conference and looked forward to working together to achieve our goals. John Astbury read a message from Dr Stephen Ladyman the UK Shipping Minister. In his message the Minister noted that in his first year as UK Shipping Minister he has been impressed by the quality and variety of shipping under the Red Ensign flag and the continued high regard with which the Red Ensign fleet is held around the world. The close relationship of the REG ensures we are able to work together with the same aim of safer lives, safer ships and cleaner seas. This is ably and topically demonstrated following the recent fire onboard the passenger ship Star Princess, of particular interests to our hosts as a Bermudan registered vessel, the lessons of which have resulted in proposals being put forward at IMO to develop urgent amendments to the SOLAS convention. The new ILO Maritime Labour Convention following its adoption in February will also have an important role in ensuring decent living and working conditions for all seafarers. He concluded that the REG conference is an important forum to prepare and organise for the tasks and challenges that lay ahead. A reply was then made His Excellency The Deputy Governor Nick Carter who was pleased to heartily welcome the Red Ensign Group Conference to Bermuda. He noted that as Chairman of the Bermuda Sea Ports Committee, he was heavily involved in the introduction of the ISPS Code. He explained that shipping continues to make a large contribution to the Bermudian economy, and the work carried out by delegates this week will further strength the REG Registers. The Deputy Governor then rang the Millennium Bell to declare the conference officially open. During the two and a half-day conference the delegates discussed the continuing quality initiatives to improve performance, the Port State role and the implementation of the new ILO Maritime Labour Convention. The group also discussed the consistent enforcement of maritime regulations, changes to the EU Port State Control Directive and recommendations from accident reports. A presentation was also given by Malcolm Kirkland of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation. Gratitude was expressed by the delegates for the hospitality provided by the Grotto Bay Hotel and the helpfulness of the management and the staff. The delegates unanimously expressed their thanks and congratulations to the Government of the Bermuda for the facilities and equipment provided at the Grotto Bay Hotel, and the organisation of a social programme for delegates, spouses and guests placed at the disposal of the Red Ensign Group. They were key factors in ensuring the success of the conference. The delegation from Guernsey offered to host the conference in June 2007. All the delegates welcomed this invitation. Editors note: The Red Ensign Group, in addition to the United Kingdom consists of the Shipping registers of each of the following: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, St Helena, Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands. Four of these are Category 1 Registers-unrestricted as to the size of ships they may register-namely Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man and UK. The group meets annually in one of the member countries to exchange views on the policies and technical issues in respect of regulation, marine safety, pollution prevention and the welfare of seafarers for ships on their registers worldwide and for visiting ships in their waters. Further information on each of the registers can be found on the Red Ensign Group website: http://www.redensigngroup.org. The site provides information about the Group and individual links to the members' websites for customers to register vessels in the high quality administrations of their choice. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 19 May 2006 ) |
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