Mariners, Fishers Urged to Take Sea Safety Seriously

Mariners and fishers are being urged to take the necessary safety precautions when they go to sea.

These precautions, which include wearing life jackets and having communication devices, are practical actions that can be lifesaving in the event of an emergency.

Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Lieutenant Commander Leonard Wynter of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard, highlighted the need for persons to take maritime safety seriously.

“For example, fisherfolk or a pleasure craft going to sea, you have to ensure that the vessel is seaworthy. Secondly, they should have the appropriate items such as life jackets, a working GPS and a well-charged cellular phone,” he advised.

“They should also inform persons of their journey in the event that they have difficulty at sea. Persons can call us at the JDF Coast Guard and inform us if a vessel is overdue,” he noted.

Lieutenant Commander Wynter, who is the former Acting Commanding Officer for the First District, JDF Coast Guard, noted that the weather is a crucial part of maritime safety and advised persons to follow the weather report.

“So, listen to the weather and you can know whether the wave heights are too high for the vessel that you are going to sea with and the winds are not too strong,” he urged.

He further encouraged persons going to sea to ensure that they carry a maritime radio to contact the Coast Guard for assistance in the event of an emergency.

Lieutenant Commander Wynter said that fishers can also play their part in assisting with maritime safety by being vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity while at sea.

“If they are at sea and they see someone fishing illegally in a fish sanctuary, for example, or a vessel that is not Jamaican fishing in Jamaican waters, they can inform us, as they’ll help us to protect the fisheries spots. If they see any other suspicious activities happening in and around Jamaica’s maritime space, they can call us,” he said.

Persons can contact the JDF Maritime and Air Operation Centre at (876) 967-8193 and the Operations Duty Officer at the First District JDF Coast Guard at (876) 322-6602.