Castries – Tuesday April 15^th, 2014 –The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), through the Division of Maritime Affairs held a sensitization workshop on maritime laws Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Capella Resort and Marina, Marigot Bay, Castries. The workshopwas hosted by the Management of the Resort andcoordinated by the Police Inspector in Charge Albert Charlery. The agenda was mainly to educate and inform Police Officers on thePolice powers of arrest, International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) requirements, Boating Safety, Small Craft Regulations and Moorings within the Marigot Bay.

In a brief interview, Mr. Christopher Alexander, Director of Maritime Affairs indicated that the rationale was to educate Police officers throughout the island on maritime Laws and their roles and responsibilities in enforcing the national Shipping Laws. He also indicated the initiative would empower the police further and could reduce on fuel consumption, Wear and tear of vessels and further protect the vital Tourism Market.

The Director of Seaports Mr. Adrian Hilaire spoke to the efforts being made to collaborate with the key stakeholders operating within the respective Bays of Marigot Anse-La-Raye and Canaries and to have structures in place to ensure moorings and vessels anchoring were in conformity with SLASPA guidelines.

Commander Milton Desir of the Marine Police Unit encouraged the Police Officers present to get actively involved in maritime law enforcement and pointed to the Shipping Act of Saint Lucia as giving the police in general, a wide range of law enforcement powers.

There were approximatelytwenty – five (25) participants at this workshop including representatives from Capella Resort and Marina, Bateau Mygo, JJ’s Touring Services, Marigot Bay, Canaries and Anse–La-Raye Police Station.Facilitators included Mr. Christopher Alexander, Director of Maritime Affairs, Commander Milton Desir, Sgt. Peter Joseph, and Mr. Adrian Hilaire, Director of Seaports.

The Division of Maritime Affairs is currently working on other workshops and seminars for Seafarers and Police Officers. For more information, please contact the Division of Maritime Affairs at 457-6151.