Working together
THE Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) organised a Port Security Capacity Building symposium for its senior management team. Port security officers stationed at the two major ports of entry in Suva and Lautoka, were also part of the training.
The symposium was facilitated by three officers from the US Department of Homeland Security, US Coast Guard Division, focusing on the Maritime ISPS Code regulations ratified by the Fijian Government in 2014.
The ISPS Code is the International Ships & Port Facility Code, which prescribes the requirements for security measures necessary to address international ships and port facilities that interface with foreign going ships.
MSAF’s executive chairman David Kolitagane said the symposium was a follow up to a similar workshop that was also facilitated by a four-member team from the US Coast Guard in April this year, which primarily focused on how the ISPS Code applied and the processes to ensure its implementation at all levels of management.
Mr Kolitagane said the symposium would also assist trained personnel in providing a framework to improve vigilance in
maritime security and compliance with the ISPS Code.
“MSAF is honoured to host the US Coast Guard for its 2nd Port Security Capacity Building this year. Fiji is pleased to have domesticated the ISPS Code which is part of our local maritime laws,” he said.
The symposium would also lay the groundwork in identifying threats that affect port facilities, giving participants an opportunity to share information collated in the past to be able to discuss the way forward in areas or incidents that may have impacted vessels and port facilities.
“For us locally, we have domesticated the ISPS Code so that it reflects why the code was created and the reasons that make it fundamental to international security,” Mr Kolitagane said.
“It also provide guidance for the process and procedures necessary to implement the requirements and standards set out in Part A of the Code which emanates mandatory provisions that member States should implement in their international port facilities and ships. Different maritime entities hold different responsibilities provided by the code.”
Mr Kolitagane thanked the US Government in providing the opportunities for Fiji’s personnel to be better trained and also allowing room for quality training, whereby the participants learn from experienced port security specialists.
“We look forward to working together to strengthen the global maritime security system for ships or port facilities used in international trade,” he said.
For us locally, we have domesticated the ISPS Code so that it reflects why the code was created and the reasons that make it fundamental to international security, ~ David Kolitagane