As it considers proper boarding facilities an absolute necessity to ensure safety of personnel, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced it will hold its annual “Safe Boarding Week” from on 2-6 July 2018, in order to promote awareness and compliance with boarding requirements by vessels in Panama Canal waters.
During this period, the ACP will emphasize and encourage safe boarding practices on all vessels arriving at the waterway.
“Safe Boarding Week” activities will involve inspections of boarding facilities by personnel who normally board vessels, such as Canal Port Captains, Pilots, Transit Vessel Inspectors, Chemists, Emergency Response personnel, Admeasurers, Deckhands, as well as ship’s agents.
Vessels at both Cristobal and Balboa Anchorages will have their boarding facility arrangements inspected utilizing the “Safe Boarding Week 2018 Inspection Checklist”.
Vessel masters will be provided with the results of the inspection and those vessels deserving special recognition for excellence will be presented with plaques following the inspection. Vessels with boarding facilities determined to be below acceptable standards must correct the deficiencies prior to transit.
