An IMO regional workshop to support improvements in rate of investigation and reporting into marine casualties and incidents in Western Africa has taken place in Lagos, Nigeria (7-11 October).
Under IMO's Casualty Investigation Code, flag States have an obligation to investigate a very serious marine casualty and others, as defined by relevant conventions, occurring on any of its ships and to report its findings to IMO. These investigations help determine what changes in the present regulations may be desirable and what remedial actions should be taken to enhance the safety of seafarers and passengers and the protection of the marine environment.
Twenty-three participants representing 7 countries (Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, the Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone) covered the role of marine casualty investigator - focusing on marine casualties, States' responsibilities, setting up an investigation, mandatory standards, identifying risk, the human element, analysis and reporting.
The workshop was organized and delivered under the IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).
