Page 2 - The flag March 2016

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGEI can now look back on the six (6) years that I have been at the helm of the BMA and whilst I cannot truthfully say that time has own by, I can certainly say that it has been an absolute privilege to lead an organisation that is admired and respected the world over.And I can assure all our clients that we will continue to demonstrate leadership, innovation and quality of service.Perhapstheoneachievement of which I am most proud is the Bahamas Online Registration Information System (BORIS), which we introduced in 2013. It has transformed the way we provide BMA services; fast, convenient and ef cient.Other gratifying developments are the newly audited training providersinTheBahamas,whichare detailed on page 11 and a quality system for the Assessment of Bahamian seafarers for professional certi cation in accordance with the STCW Convention. These, together with the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps are making a huge contribution to seafaring capacity and maritime excellence. They are an asset to the country and to the world.With respect to Port State Control, despite reductions in the overall number of PSC inspections, the severity ofidenti ed de ciencies have led to the ships being detained more frequently in comparison to previous years. In addition, Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) related detentions were recorded for the rst time since the convention came into force in August 2013. The BMA reviews all PSC experiences on Bahamas agged ships.Finally, many thanks are also due to our contributing authors whose articles in this issue are welcome and authoritative.MINISTER’S COMMENTS AT THE IMO ASSEMBLYThe Honourable Glenys Hanna Martin addressed the IMO Assembly in October last year. She described the organisation as a diverse and critically important world body that The Bahamas was privileged to be a part of.“It is the very diversity of this membership body which has allowed The Bahamas to sit as a Council member over the last two years”, she said.“During this period” she continued, “we believe that our combined pro le; on the one hand, a maritime nation which is a small island developing state, which is also low lying and vulnerable to the ravages of natural disasters and climate change, and on the other hand, a ag state that has one of the largest registers in the world with a diverse ship portfolio, has altogether enabled us to bring a balanced and progressive perspective to the Assembly deliberations and Council- recommended solutions.”“We believe that The Bahamas has shown that it is prepared to roll up its sleeves and diligently undertake the necessary work on the Council for the advancement of the goals and ideals of the IMO. We have been collaborative and consensus-building while at the same time lending a speci c voice to the issues that countries such as ours face in this global reality.”The Minister nished by saying that The Bahamas looked forward to building on its successes and to be even more ef cient and effective in addressing the challenges facing the maritime world.u IMO29THASSEMBLY–MINISTERVISITSBMALONDONOFFICE2WWW.BAHAMASMARITIME.COM