Investigations into maritime accidents are set to be greatly improved following the 4th meeting of the American Marine Accident and Investigators International Forum, while was held from November 5th to November 7th, 2012, in St. Johns, Antigua.
The forum, which was held at the Royal Antiguan Hotel, was the first of its kind to be hosted in the region. The Antiguan Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS) played a crucial role in organising the forum and hosting the delegates.
The primary objective of the convention was to improve the procedures relating to investigations into marine accidents by promoting the use of standard regulations. In addition, it focused on fostering communication and cooperation between the different agencies that play a role in accident investigations, such as local police authorities, port officials and marine experts. Finally, the delegates also discussed issues relating to general maritime safety and the prevention of pollution of the oceans.
The forum took the format of an interactive panel discussion session in which delegates exchanged ideas and information stemming from their personal experiences with regard to marine accident investigations.
There were 15 delegates at the forum, from nine countries that have maritime operations in the region – the United States, Canada, Argentina, United Kingdom, Panama, St Kitts & Neviss, Peru, Antigua & Barbuda and the Marshall Islands. There were a number of sprited discussions that led to the conference being hailed a success by all concerned.
According to the Director and Registra General at the Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping, Dwight Gardiner, the delegates were warmly welcomed to Antigua. Gardiner further went on to say that marine authorities in Antigua have been hoping for such a forum to come about for some time now, and that the region remains fully committed to cooperating with other agencies that have marine interests in the area.
Gardiner also emphasised that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to provide technical support and assistant to any member state that requires assistance with marine operations in the waters offshore of Antigua and Barbuda.
Although the minutes and final recommendations from the forum are yet to be released, Gardiner said in a statement to the press that the recommendations will focus on improving communication and cooperation between maritime accident investigators and promoting exchange of valuable information between experts in the field that will lead to improved investigations and hopefully ultimately prevent maritime accidents entirely.
