An independent audit by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency assessed how well the Bailiwick complies with the International Maritime Organisation Instruments Implementation (III) Code.
The IMO is the United Nations agency responsible for setting global standards for the safety, security, and international performance of international shipping, and the III Code audit scheme checks how well states meet their international maritime obligations.
Audits are conducted every 5-7 years and cover various areas in detail, such as regulatory oversight, certification processes, and the effectiveness of quality management systems. They also review maritime operations, including the provision of coastguard services and aids to navigation such as lighthouses.
Areas for improvement are identified with typical audits resulting in 12 ‘findings’. The Bailiwick of Guernsey’s audit, carried out at the end of November, identified only seven findings.
James Way, acting harbour master and the designated official for III Code compliance in the Bailiwick, said the result reflected a commitment to maritime safety, compliance, and continual improvement.
‘We are very encouraged by the results, which show the Bailiwick’s solid performance in meeting the international conventions,’ he said. ‘To receive only seven findings reflects the hard work and professionalism of our cross-government team and the strength of our maritime regulatory system. We take each finding very seriously, and we are already working to implement corrective actions that will further enhance our compliance with the III Code.’
Richard Pellew, audit team leader and assistant director at the MCA said the outcome of the audit reflected the island’s commitment to the implementation of international maritime conventions.
‘The audit team further identified four areas of best practice of III Code implementation ranging from certification of code vessels to management of safe navigation, which illustrated the determination of the administration to set and achieve standards for the Bailiwick’s compliance well above IMO expectations.’
Corrective action plans are now being developed for each of the MCA’s findings in accordance with the Bailiwick’s published maritime strategy. The Bailiwick had last been audited in 2019.
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