The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) and the Department of Fisheries will jointly undertake boat safety and inspection training from March 12 to 15.

The initiative is a directive of the Department of Fisheries to ensure the comprehensive training of extension officers in areas of boat safety and boat inspection. This is in keeping with the Fisheries Act that states: “all vessels must be inspected within a year.”

Chief Fisheries Officer, Sarita Williams-Peter, said the exercise will improve the department’s service delivery.

“This exercise will improve the competencies of officers to provide exceptional and far-reaching service to fishers,” she said.

Director of Maritime Affairs at SLASPA, Christopher Alexander, added: “SLASPA recognizes the significance of collaborations like these and will continue to embrace them as a medium to develop employees, other relevant agencies, our fishers and by extension, their families.”

In attendance were field officers of the Department of Fisheries and ship surveyors representing the Division of Maritime Affairs. Upon completion of the program, participants will be certified in boat safety and inspection.