Maritime experts from across the Red Ensign Group will be gathering today (18 Nov) and tomorrow to discuss technical regulation and how it affects the work of the British Shipping Registers.
Representatives from Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey and the United Kingdom are attending the event which is being hosted online for the first time.
With the International Maritime Organization’s Member State mandatory audit of the REG members expected early in 2021, much of the event will focus on the work being done by the REG to be ready for it and to ensure that the result of the audit shows the REG’s continued leadership on maritime matters.
Other items up for discussion include what has been learned in terms of regulation and surveys during COVID-19, working towards allowing MARPOL electronic record books and potential sharing of surveyor resource across the Category 2 REG members (Anguilla, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Monserrat, St Helena and Turks and Caicos).
The event will be co-chaired by Greg Evans of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands and Richard Pellew from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Greg Evans said: “The work of regulation isn’t always easy and sometimes we have to have some very tough conversations. At the heart of it all though, we have a common goal, that of commitment to world-beating standards.”
Richard Pellew said: “This is the first time we’ve ever had this event online in this way which may bring its own challenges. However, it’s vital we bring all the experts from across the REG to discuss matters that won’t just benefit ourselves but others in the wider maritime industry.”