Castries – Friday May 20, 2011 – The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Port Authority (SLASPA), Division of Maritime Affairs will be hosting a Boating Safety Awareness Seminar on Tuesday June 7, 2011, from 9:00am to 12:30pm at the Soufriere Foundation Conference Room, NIC Building Soufriere. The workshop will be facilitated by Mr. Christopher Alexander, Director of Maritime Affairs. The Major objective of this session is to assist Boat masters/Captains in becoming cognizant with issues concerning safety of passengers and their responsibilities as vessel operators.

In preparation for the event, Mr. Alexander commented “This will be an ideal opportunity for us to highlight to stakeholders the importance of Maritime Safety. We are therefore targeting as many boaters / Captains in Soufriere and neighbouring communities in addition to Hotel Dive Centers, Commercial and private Fishing Companies, Day excursion Providers and Ferry Operators in the area.”

This workshop will be focusing on the following topics:

• Commercial & Pleasure Craft Licensing & Registration
• Collision Regulations
• Legislation & Penalties
• ISPS Regulations
• Boat masters license and Boat Safety Inspection
• Navigational channels and marking of Swimming and snorkeling zones
• Survey and inspection Procedures:‐The requirements for Safety inspections and authorized Ship Surveyors
• The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, International Convention for the
• Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)‐ Ship Security Plan for passenger vessels (more than twelve passengers) on International Voyages.

SLASPA urges all boaters and captains to participate and register for this seminar by contacting Ms. Thecla Joseph, Maritime Assistant at 453‐2855.