The Tribune

FREEPORT – The island of Grand Bahama is ready to play its role in the maritime sector and ready to work hand in hand with other government agencies in accomplishing that goal, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville said.

Dr Darville was on hand to welcome participants in the National Maritime Workshop, which officially go underway at the Our Lucaya Resort on February 5.

He told the gathering that located just 60 miles off the coast of South Florida, Grand Bahama is blessed geographically.

“It is certainly positioned to become a force to reckoned with in the maritime industry and is ready to play its role as a global player in logistics, ship repair and other related maritime fields,” he said.

Dr Darville said Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie is fully committed to Grand Bahama and the growth and development of the maritime industry, which contributes an estimated 14–18 per cent of the gross domestic product of the Bahamas.

He told workshop participants that their theme for the seminar – improving the standard for the implementation and enforcement of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) mandatory instructions – is both timely and appropriate in today’s global environment.

Dr Darville stressed that it was also important that every member state meet, implement, enforce and abide by the rules and regulations put in place by the IMO in order to ensure that the highest standards of maritime safety are maintained.

“I am convinced that Grand Bahamians are cognisant of the fact that we must continue to strive for excellence, constantly upgrade our skills, improve our standards while aggressively enforcing our maritime laws if we are going to be seen as a global player and capitalise on the economic benefits this lucrative industry has to offer.”