Jamaica's influence
at the heart of international shipping was in full view at the recent
Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping 2007 conference and exhibition
in Stamford where Rear Admiral Peter Brady, Director-General of
the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, addressed delegates on the important
issue of revision of the STCW Convention and Code.
The
CMA Shipping conference has become a 'must-attend' occasion for
the global shipping industry and over 1,800 high-ranking delegates
attended this year's sparkling event.
Admiral
Brady, who has been
re-elected
for a third term as Chairman of the highly influential IMO STW
sub committee which oversees the Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping convention and the STCW Code (see separate article),
told delegates that the shipping industry was facing a dilemma
of
“great proportions”.
"A
lack of readily trained seafarers is impacting on crew competency
onboard ship. Through the action of poaching, this is contributing
to an escalation in wage scales and personnel churn,"
he said.
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A
succession of small (but important) amendments to the STCW convention
since 1995, fueled by maritime accidents, oil spills and casualties,
meant that the STCW Convention
was in dire need of an
all-encompassing revision.
A review was needed to ensure the Convention met the new challenges
facing the shipping industry including, but not limited to, the
reality of rapid technological advances.
The
MAJ is a regular exhibitor at the CMA show. It is an important
arena in which to promote the Jamaica Ship Registry and highlight
the important work of the MAJ.
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