At 11:00 am today, Thursday June 27, 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed between the National Land Agency and Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard. This will take place at the HMJS Cagway, (Fort Charles) Port Royal.
The JDF is supplying the vessel for mounting the hydrographic surveying equipment being provided through the Commonwealth Marine Economics Programme (CMEP) and executed by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).
The UKHO has been in Jamaica for the past three weeks conducting hydrography training. This will develop Jamaica’s capability to conduct its own hydrographic surveying, with the use of the vessel CG122 facilitated by the Jamaica Defence Force.
The British High Commissioner to Jamaica¸ Asif Ahmad CMG will be making a courtesy call on the participants of the training and will be present for the signing of the MOU. He will be accompanied by Syranno Baines, Digital and Communications Officer, and other officials from the British High Commission.
Participants from the Maritime Authority of Jamaica will include:
- Mr. Bertrand Smith
- Captain Steven Spence
- Mr. Kenre Valentine
The press will be facilitated to board the CG122 (survey vessel) and to witness a sonar demonstration (sounding of the seabed).
Background
Late 2017, Jamaica embarked upon the updating of the hydrographic charts in key maritime developmental areas to better facilitate coastal navigation marine infrastructural works and other marine activities, through assistance from the UK Government.
In 2018, United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) handed over the data - results of hydrographic surveys of Kingston Harbour and its Approaches and Portland Bight. This work was conducted through the UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office initiative - the Commonwealth Marine Economics Programme (CMEP).
In June 2019 UKHO has been in Jamaica conducting workshops and providing hydrographic training. They have also provided software for surveying and processing survey data, as well as computers, sonar and GPS equipment, fitted to the CG122 JDF survey vessel.