BVI ready to implement ISPS code
Thursday, July 1, 2004
ROAD TOWN, BVI: The British Virgin Islands
Government maritime agencies have announced their readiness to comply with the
International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code, which comes into effect on
July 1, 2004. The purpose of the ISPS Code is
to ensure broad-based security for all vessels engaged in international voyage
and for port facilities worldwide, in a bid to reduce the emerging threat on
the maritime trade sector as well as to enhance their level of safety.
With a deadline looming for ports and ships
to meet new standards designed to combat terrorism, marine piracy, illegal
immigration, smuggling, theft and other crimes at sea, agencies responsible
for implementing the measures outlined in the code have upgraded their
security systems at considerable expense.
In the BVI, apart from beefing up security
measures on shore and on sea, employees of public and private port facilities
and the shipping sector have already received training in integrated security
and safety arrangements from a panel of United Kingdom experts.
The relevant agencies responsible for
implementing the code include the BVI Maritime Administration (formerly Marine
Services Unit), the BVI ports Authority, HM Customs and Immigration
Department.
In a recent Government Information Service
radio interview, Marine Manager of the BVI Ports Authority Captain Bingley
Richardson said, “six ports of entry including Jost Van Dyke, West End, Road
Town, Port Purcell, Virgin Gorda and the Cruise Ship Pier have so far been
equipped with fences, underwater surveillance equipment, mobile gamma ray
units to inspect the contents of containers, state-of-the-art computers,
closed-circuit TV systems, hand held detectors, metal detectors and security
officers so that we could be in compliance with the mandatory requirements of
the ISPS Code.”
The BVI Maritime Administration is
responsible for ensuring that all vessels comply with the Code. According to
Director of the Unit Mr. John Samuels “the new procedures and polices will
change the way business was done before and we have now certified vessels that
have met the requirements of the Code.” Port
Security Manager Mr. Reynaldo Fahie commented on the new security measures.
“The Code provides identity and transparency. It makes it clearer with whom
business is being conducted and who is responsible for what,” he said.
The new regulation also affects inter-island
travel where passengers will now be required to check in 45 minutes before
their departure time since all persons will be subject to strict security
scrutiny. In addition to ships, boats, ports and harbours, charter yachts and
the cruise industry are also affected by the ISPS Code.
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