Mozambique: INAMAR to reinforce search and rescue

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Mozambique: INAMAR to reinforce search and rescue

2:20 CAT | 04 Apr 2018

New funds will be allocated to maritime administrations throughout the country to improve search and rescue capacity, Minister of Transport and Communications Carlos Mesquita has announced.

The allocation of resources will proceed gradually and according to specific needs. This year, for example, the maritime administrations of Gaza, the Island of Mozambique, Nacala, Angoche, Inhambane, as well as the Cahora Bassa reservoir and Lake Niassa will be considered.

The move was announced during the National Marine Institute (INAMAR) national planning meeting in Maputo on Monday.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications hopes the allocation of resources to maritime administrations will reduce maritime accidents resulting from poor surveillance.

7 die as boat carrying 11 sinks in central Mozambique

Last year, maritime authorities recorded a total of 58 shipwrecks, resulting in 155 deaths and 77 missing persons, against the 64 in 2016, which caused 208 deaths and 20 missing persons.

Minister Mesquita hopes the trend can be reversed through by more energetic INAMAR activity.

In his speech, Mesquita urged INAMAR managers to adapt the institution’s planning, training and organisation to the new challenges posed by the growth of maritime activity in general, and by the development of the mineral and oil resources industry in particular.

“The new context requires human and material resources for INAMAR to actively participate in the promotion of good practices so that maritime transport takes place in a safe and pollution-free environment,” the minister said, adding that efforts were being made to train institution personnel in safety, protection and the prevention of oil pollution.

He added that the government’s effort to create an attractive environment for maritime transport in the country should be complemented by careful planning by INAMAR to provide specialised staff to adequately intervene on different fronts.

Mozambique has been adhering to and implementing international conventions to provide the maritime sector with tools to inspect, monitor, prevent and combat marine and coastal pollution, with a view to attracting more cargo and passenger ships.

In the context of the fight against terrorism in ports, the government has implemented the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, which contains joint measures between the government and port managers to increase security and compliance with international standards.

Source: Notícias