Maritime Authority cuts seafaring passenger loads in half to curtail spread of COVID-19
The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), in
monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), has implemented a
range of measures to protect seafarers and passengers alike.
In a statement on Thursday (March 19), the MAJ
as Jamaica’s marine administration, said it is committed to its mission to
promote high standards of maritime competence, safety, security and protection
of the marine environment.
“We ask watersports operators to have their
vessels ready for inspection at the scheduled times and to keep visitors and
onlookers away from the inspection site while our inspector is present,” the
statement noted.
“Passenger carrying vessels must observe
the following rules: half of the present assigned capacity to a maximum of
twenty persons. For small passenger vessel operators particularly, this means
that the number of persons permitted by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica as
shown on the Safety Certificate, must be cut in half,” the MAJ said.
The MAJ further explained that it will
remain guided by protocols stipulated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness,
the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Maritime Organisation.
The agency assured the island that the
health and safety of the wider public and its cadre of staff remains a top
priority.
For those who can, the MAJ has urged
customers to access its services online, visitors who do choose to come to its
offices, however, will be asked to exercise care when interacting with staff,
and to adhere to the steps we have implemented, to help protect against COVID-19.
“We encourage those of our seafarers who
can, to utilize our online platforms. However, we will facilitate walk-in
customers during our regular opening hours of 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to
Friday,” the agency explained.
“For those who visit our offices, we ask
that they maintain the appropriate social distancing. The MAJ remains steadfast
in its support of Jamaica’s efforts to curtail the local spread of COVID-19.
Let us all do our best to remain healthy as we support each other in this
public health fight,” the MAJ said in its statement.
