VI youths get boat safety training from Shipping Registry

Youngsters from various communities across the territory recently received valuable boat safety training as part of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry’s Sail Safe campaign.

The youngsters who received the training were from the Kids and the Sea (KATS) youth programme that is based in the VI and promotes maritime safety.

John Samuel, Director of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry said the goal of the campaign was to engender a culture of boating safety in the BVI.

“Partnering with an organization like KATS in the summer programme allowed us to improve the safety culture of the BVI beginning now and into the future, by training young boaters in the safe operation of boats, the relevant safety practices and emergency procedures,” Samuel explained.

“Having them also understand the dangers of unsafe practices and maneuvres, and how even one loss of life at sea can be negatively impactful on families and communities was also key in our attempt to drive behavioural change over time,” he added.

The youngsters in the boating safety programme got the opportunity to learn about outboard engines and boat handling essentials. The KATS students also engaged in a crucial ‘man overboard’ exercise, which taught them the essential actions that must be taken if a crew member falls from the vessel.

Like the rest of the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands owns more marine assets than terrestrial assets. As such, there is a constant call for residents to learn vital skills that are necessary at sea.

Although infrequent, boating accidents do occur in the BVI. The last major incident occurred in March this year when a 33-year-old man from the United States succumbed to injuries he received in a boat accident near the island of Jost Van Dyke.

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