First English-speaking maritime safety course ends

Regional Maritime University

Accra, July 15, GNA - The first English-speaking session of maritime safety and security course, organised to develop common skills among various agencies involved in maritime safety and security around the Gulf of Guinea has ended in Accra.

The 8-week course was organised by Regional Maritime University with support from European Union Maritime Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea in the Gulf of Guinea (CRIMGO) for mid-managers to address issues relating to maritime regulations, prosecution of illegal activities, and fair governance of maritime domain.

The 26 mid-managers and operators were drawn from Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe and Togo participated in the programme.

A statement copied to Ghana News Agency on Tuesday said shipping is continually exposed to safety and threats such as collisions, pollution, human trafficking, smuggling, illegal fishing, piracy and armed robbery.

It said the Gulf of Guinea, in 2013 for instance, suffered 31 piracy attacks.

The statement said the training programme is one of the most successful components of CRIMGO's activities.

'This is because there is an urgent and crucial need to have highly qualified personnel in the different centres of the maritime activity such as Search and Rescue, Navies Operation Centres, Information Sharing Centres, Ports, Specialised Forces and Authorities.'

A graduation ceremony will be held for the trainees on July 16.

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