Strengthening casualty investigation and reporting in Madagascar
Malagasy officials have completed comprehensive training on marine casualty investigations – a crucial element in ensuring maritime safety and cleaner seas.
Under provisions of IMO instruments, each flag State has an obligation to investigate every very serious marine casualty (those that entail the total loss of the ship or a death or severe damage to the environment) and others, as defined by the relevant conventions, involving its ships and to report its findings to IMO using the Global Integrated Information System (GISIS) platform.
These reports help to determine whether changes to current regulations are needed, as well as any remedial actions that should be taken to enhance the safety of seafarers and passengers and the protection of the marine environment.
A national workshop held in Antananarivo, Madagascar (2-6 December 2024) aimed to bolster the country’s casualty investigation capacity and increase the rate of reporting.
Thirty-one officials, including 13 women, representing the Ministry of transport and Meteorology (MTM) and the Agence Portuaire, Maritime et Fluviale (APMF) of Madagascar took part in the training, which covered the following:
The role of marine casualty investigator;
- Obligations of the flag State;
- Mandatory standards;
- Identification of risks;
- Human element; and
- Analysis and reporting.
The workshop also addressed findings and observations from the member State’s audit, including those outlined in the corrective action plan. Under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme, Member States (IMSAS) are regularly audited and provided with a comprehensive and objective assessment of how effectively they are implementing mandatory IMO instruments covered by the Scheme.
The training was delivered through IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) in close collaboration with the Agence Portuaire, Maritime et Fluviale (APMF) of Madagascar.
Source : IMO
