Contact: Joseph Daley – Information Officer II
Telephone: 468-3701 ext. 2076
Email: [email protected]
 
VISR TO EMPHASISE DISTRESS SIGNALS FOR BOATING SAFETY WEEK

Thursday, September 13 – The application of distress signals is earmarked for particular attention during Boating Safety Week, which will be spearheaded by the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR) later this month.

Director of Shipping Captain Baboucar Sallah said the September 23-28 observance will be held under the theme “Distress Signals Contribute to Boating Safety.” He also appealed to everyone in the Territory to take a keen interest in the upcoming week, and said that VISR staff will be present at various scheduled activities during the week to answer questions related to boating safety.
“Safe boating should be of concern to everyone, especially since our waters in the Virgin Islands are heavily utilised. It is therefore important for us to seize every opportunity to educate captains, crews, and the travelling public about safe boating practices,” said Captain Sallah in an interview with the Department of Information and Public Relations.

Recreational boaters, he noted, are especially welcome to participate in the Boating Safety Week activities.

Boating Safety Week will start with an ecumenical service at the St. Georges Anglican Church in Road Town on Sunday, 23rd September. The service is scheduled to begin at 8:30a.m., and the general public, especially the marine fraternity, are cordially invited.
The Opening Ceremony for Boating Safety Week will be held on Monday, 24 September at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall where the Premier and subject minister Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, will give remarks and declare the week open.

Other activities for the week will include safety demonstrations at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, a boat show at the Road Town Jetty, open house at the VISR office in the Sebastian Building on Admin Drive, and a boat safety fair at the Palm Grove Park.