Turks and Caicos Islands represented at Red Ensign Group Conference 2024  

The 35^th Red Ensign Group (REG) Conference was convened and hosted by Jersey over the period 17 – 20 June 2024. The primary objective of this conference ranges from sustainability to greener shipping and innovation, future maritime strategies and maritime safety standards within the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. Over the four days of the conference, a range of issues pertaining to maritime safety, security and the protection of the marine environment were highlighted and discussed by the delegates regarding best practices, exchange of information and ways of improving the performance of the British Registers. These included but were not limited to:

1. Health and growth of the Red Ensign Group fleet
2. Status of IMO Convention and UK Legislative Changes
3. REG inputs in Caribbean Regional meetings
4. International Maritime Organisation Mandatory Instrument (Triple I/III) Code Strategy and Future Direction
5. Long-Term Maritime Strategy
6. Hydrography and Marine Spatial Planning
7. Search and Rescue and Counter Pollution
8. Port Marine Safety Code and Marine Safety Management System
9. Vessel Registration (processes/procedures)
10. Digital Approach to Registries
11. Establishment of Capacity Building Working Group
12. REG Maritime Security Tabletop Exercise
13. Maritime Sanctions

Approximately 80 delegates from all sixteen REG maritime administrations were in attendance, including Turks and Caicos Islands delegates, Director Thecla Joseph and Senior Maritime Officer Trevor Williams from the Department of Maritime and Shipping, Harbour Master Eric Cooper from the Port Authority and Representative to the UK and Head of Office Turks and Caicos Islands Government, London Office, Tracy Knight. Out of the fruitful debates and discussions, there were many recommendations for the delegates to implement in support of improving maritime safety in their respective territories. The conference will ultimately help to strengthen the role of the Maritime Administration and, by extension, the TCI to carry out its flag, port and coastal state responsibilities. Director Thecla Joseph stated, “The conference not only contributes to the development and strengthening of the maritime sector but also promotes the exchange of information between administrations regarding experiences and best practices for a more effective implementation of international instruments beneficial to TCI as we prepare for our IMO audit in December 2024”.

 Senior Maritime Officer Williams also commented on the success of the conference,  “This is all about working together and being responsible for some of the most significant coastal areas in the world; vital in supporting and improving our ship registers, while showing the benefits of maritime sector to the local economies.”

Harbour Master Eric Cooper stated “The Ports Authority is grateful for the nomination and to be part of TCI delegation. Participation in this year’s Conference and Coastal State Forum allowed an assessment on current workplans along with prioritising future work plans consisting in meeting our shared Coastal State obligations.” TCI Representative to the UK also commented, “It was an honour to be part of the TCI delegation to the REG Conference this year. The Conference provided an opportunity for engagement on maritime strategy and policy matters, as well as to build valuable relationships with persons from across the REG family.”

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The REG conference began in 1988 as an opportunity for the registrars of the REG to get together to share ideas, harmonize processes and discuss ways forward. Since then, it has expanded to cover seafarer welfare and regulatory matters as well as coastal preparedness including search and rescue and pollution response. 

Every year the conference is held at a different location, reflecting the geography of the Red Ensign Group. REG consists of the UK, the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man and Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. There will also be delegates in attendance from the non-ship registry Overseas Territories of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha.  Source: https://www.redensigngroup.org/