Tag: Bahamas Maritime Authority

BMA issues Information Bulletin No. 150 regarding inspection and testing of automatic sprinkler systems

Bahamas Maritime Authority Targets Japan, Korea

High Commissioner presents credentials to IMO

Bahamas has the ability to influence shipping The Bahamas "punches well above its weight" in the global maritime industry, the Bahamas Maritime Authority's (BMA) chairman saying yesterday that through its involvement with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) this nation has a powerful voice in world shipping.Ian Fair, one of the speakers at the 21st annual Bahamas Business Outlook conference, said the Bahamas has the ability to significantly influence the development of maritime legislation through the IMO, a specialised agency of the United Nations for shipping."We have a powerful voice in world shipping, and have the ability to influence the development of policy and legislation both domestically and internationally. We punch well above our weight," Mr Fair said. An example of the Bahamas' influence, he said, has been the IMO's support of the Bahamas' proposal for mandatory carbon dioxide reduction for all ships, instead of a market-based measure (MBM)."The Bahamas has proposed to the IMO to mandate efficiency improvements of existing vessels. This has massive implications for the industry. Another example that we punch well above our weight is that this is our idea, and it is being well supported by the IMO," Mr Fair said.He added that the BMO's role ...

By the Bahamas Maritime Authority The Bahamas Maritime Authority issues Bulletin which outlines the Bahamas training requirements for applicable officers serving onboard ships fitted with Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) as follows:The ship specific ECDIS training should relate to the make and model of the ECDIS equipment installed on the ship.This should build on the generic training, and be delivered by either:i. the manufacturer; orii. the manufacturers approved agent ,oriii. a trainer who has attended such a programmeFor more information, click hereSource: The Bahamas Maritime Authority

ClassNK - TEC 0871 The Bahamas Maritime Authority has notified ClassNK of BMA Information Bulletin No.136 "Enhanced Monitoring Programme" .According to the notification, any ship which has been justifiably detained on more than one occasion in a 24 month period, either by PSC or Flag State, will automatically be placed on the Enhanced Monitoring Programme.Ships which have been placed on the Enhanced Monitoring Programme are subject to Bahamas "special" inspections within one (1) month of being placed on the programme, and at three (3) month periods thereafter. Any ships remaining on the programme after twelve (12) months will be specially reviewed for continued registration in consultation with the Director of the BMA.To view ClassNK TEC- 0871, click here.Source: ClassNK

It applies to all Bahamian ships where there is evidence of declining standards of operation The Bahamas Maritime Authority issues bulletin regarding Enchanced Monitoring Programme.The Enhanced Monitoring Programme will apply to all Bahamian ships where there is evidence of declining standards of operation or maintenance, or evidence of a significant lack of compliance with international Conventions and/or national requirements, or where a trend towards general non-compliance has been identified.For more information, click hereSource: BMA

Increased accuracy and greater reliability of seafarers data The Bahamas Maritime Authority issues bulleting regarding Bahamas On-Line Seafarer System (BOSS).BOSS was developed and made available for use to parties (Registered Owners and ISM Managers, or their duly authorized Managing Agents, of Bahamian registered vessels) who satisfied the BMA's established criteria, including the signing of a user agreement and establishment of an agreed financial arrangement.The main aim of BOSS is to provide enhanced customer service delivery through: 24/7 provision of the Confirmation Receipt of Application (CRA) for Flag State Endorsement for Certificate of Competency for Navigation, Engineering and GMDSS Officers; increased accuracy and greater reliability of seafarers data recognising that this data will be entered by the user; active monitoring/tracking of application by the user through a web-based system; improved financial control noting that one of the conditions for the access to the system is the establishment of a credit account or an agreed financial arrangement with the BMA; ability for multi-users within a Company; vi. environmentally friendly solution through the electronic submission of documents. For more details, click here.Source: BMA

By the Bahamas Maritime Authority The Bahamas Maritime Authority issues bulletin for guidance relating to training and certification for persons working on passenger ships as follows:This Bulletin provides guidance relating to training and certification for persons working on passenger ships.The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers, 1978 as amended (STCW Convention) and the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code) requires the Master, officers, ratings and appropriate persons, who are assigned to passenger ships including RO-RO passenger ships.The Bahamas Regulations are being finalized to incorporate the 2010 amendments to the STCW Convention and STCW Code.The BMA will apply the transitional periods in accordance with the provisions of the 2010 amendments.For more information, click here.Source: The Bahamas Maritime Authority

The Greek office will be fully operational by November A much anticipated office expected to deepen the Bahamas Maritime Authoritys (BMA) presence in Greece is set to open by November.Chairman of the BMA Ian Fair has confirmed that both the Greece office and a Hong Kong office will be fully operational by the end of the year. Both offices are expected to expand the country's registry by 10 percent, with plans in motion to boost the countrys image in those jurisdictions.We will have the Greece office fully operational by November, he told Guardian Business. We will have more staff than the Hong Kong office. We have not determined exactly how much staff yet, but it will be six people immediately.The move comes as the nations influence spreads in China, with BMA officials invited to speak in Tianjin, China in October, where it will make a technical presentation to the Hong Kong Shipowners Association.Fair asserts marketing is important in the region.Thats a key thing for that region... but more people are aware now that The Bahamas has a presence in East Asia.We have some plans for October to do some more .Fair has said the recent move to Hong Kong was a ...