The Government of Jamaica has launched protocols to enable crew changes for vessels serving Jamaican ports. The protocols form part of the measures passed under the Disaster Risk Management Act which were announced by the prime minister last week and comes after lobbying by members of the local shipping sector and a recommendation by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), which is the agency responsible for the regulation of the welfare of seafarers in Jamaica.

Jamaica was re-elected to serve on the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the 31st Session of the IMO’s General Assembly, held at its London headquarters, on November 29.

Jamaica, which was returned for a second successive term, will serve alongside the Bahamas as the two Caribbean countries on the IMO Council for the 2020-2021 biennium.

THE Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) is urging boaters to be vigilant and to take precautionary measures when traversing the waterways this Heroes' weekend.

“The Maritime Authority of Jamaica takes the safety and protection of life at sea very seriously,” said Rear Admiral (ret'd) Peter Brady, director general of the MAJ.

“Passengers must be watchful for possible danger and boat owners and drivers alike, must consider highly enough their own safety and that of their passengers, and take every precaution when transporting passengers,” added Brady, as he outlined some guidelines with which individuals steering passenger- carrying vessels (coxswains) must comply.

A delegation from Saudi Arabia has concluded its participation in the 25th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) held in Kingston, Jamaica.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday called on member states of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to demonstrate their recommitment to the preservation of global maritime resources.

Holness was addressing delegates from more than 160 countries who gathered at the Jamaica Conference Centre to discuss international maritime matters at the 25th assembly of the ISA.