Jamaica has maintained its position at the heart of international maritime rule-making following the re-election of Rear Admiral Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, as chairman of the Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) sub-Committee at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations’ body governing marine safety, security and pollution prevention.
He was unanimously re-elected for the eighth time as STW Chairman for 2012 at the recently-held 42nd session of the STW Sub Committee which was attended by over 400 delegates from member states party to the STCW Convention as well as associate members, intergovernmental organisations and NGOs.
Admiral Brady was nominated by the Philippines and seconded by Chile with support from member states including India, Malta, Marshall Islands, Panama, Singapore, South Africa the US, Spain, Bahamas, Mexico, Ghana, Indonesia among others. 2012 will be an important year for the work of the STW Sub-Committee after the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention (STCW) and STCW Code was amended at a Diplomatic Conference held in Manila from June 21-25 last year.
Acknowledging his re-election, Admiral Brady said: “I am humbled by your very kind remarks and sentiments and would like to thank you for this recognition and demonstration of support and confidence to lead you in this sub committee as your Chairman for 2012 when the Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and STCW Code come into force.”
“I thank you for electing me once again and I do so while expressing great pride on behalf of my country Jamaica and indeed the remainder of the Caribbean Region. It is a great honour.”
He added: “I thank you also for your cooperation and great sense of purpose as we have set about the task of establishing rules and standards for the seafarers of the world that they may be properly trained, equipped and motivated to operate the worlds’ ships safely, securely while keeping our oceans clean.
“Your preparatory work for the successful conclusion of the Diplomatic Conference last year which resulted in the Manila Amendments, is testimony to your enduring interest in their development and to the credibility of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). I am also very proud of the team from the secretariat led by the very capable and knowledgeable Ashok Mahapatra.”
