Pacific countries have enhanced their ability to conduct marine casualty investigations following an IMO technical training course held in Nadi, Fiji, from 17-21 February.

Under IMO instruments, a flag state has an obligation to investigate very serious marine casualties and other marine casualties, as defined in the relevant conventions, involving any of its ships. The flag State is also obliged to report these findings to IMO through the GISIS online centre for shipping related data.

The aim of these investigations is to help identify possible improvements to the current regulations, as well as corrective measures to improve both the safety of seafarers and passengers and the protection of the marine environment.

Twenty-six participants representing 13 Pacific countries* were trained on key issues such as the role of a marine casualty investigator, the concept of a marine casualty and the responsibilities of States. Investigation procedures, mandatory standards, risk assessment, treatment of the human element, analysis and reporting were covered.

The course is the first technical training event of its kind organised by IMO in the Pacific, in cooperation with the Government of Fiji, the Pacific Community (SPC), the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) of Singapore.

*Participating countries: Cook Islands; Fiji; Kiribati; Nauru; New Zealand; Palau; Papua New Guinea; the Republic of the Marshall Islands; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

News story and image obtained: "Organización Marítima Internacional"

https://www.imo.org/es/MediaCentre/Paginas/WhatsNew-2228.aspx