The violating sailors who according to themselves as we reported two weeks ago spent three days unreported, unnoticed certainly by the authorities and who confirmed that the sailors never registered their presence in Montserrat at Little Bay port, raised some awareness and have caused some actions to be more hurriedly considered and some taken to lessen if not avoid further occurrences.
The police reportedly are considering to follow-through with CCTV with earlier plans in and around the exclusion zone areas.
In June 2012 just under four years ago we reported on Governor Davis Police Review that in addition to the decision to fully reopen the Salem Police Station, “They added that the deploying of close circuit television (CCTV) could support the RMPS’s efforts to monitor entry and exit into the exclusion zones and electronic gate access should be explored.”
In February last year, 2015, following a police press conference we reported: “Securing of the coastal borderlines and the exclusion zone as usual came up for discussion.” This, continues to be a challenge for the police according to the Commissioner – there was urgent emphasis on the need for security equipment both in sea and on land, as he cited the inadequacy of the current coast guard vessel which simply can’t meet the work load placed on it. He then went on to praise Governor Adrian Davis for adding to the emphasis of the urgent needs for these equipment during the budgetary talks.
The Governor during his earlier February press conference touted…he worked cooperatively with the Government. “…that exception is a rather large exception, like everything else. I mean it’s not my sole responsibility – it is according to the Constitution but it’s something that we try and workout cooperatively in terms of development which is the Government’s main priority.”
Now the Governor, with responsibility for security is in heavy consultations with the police to take forward those on-going discussions and since the developments of three weeks ago, following a recent meeting of stakeholders from the yachting community, the International Black Sea University (IBSU), the Port Authority, Marine Unit of the RMPS and the Governor’s office, comes the decision expressed in a release from The Director General of the Montserrat Customs and Revenue Service.
It says that ‘An updated hazard map and customs maritime controlled area has been released.’
It refers to and explains – recent incidents of vessels entering restricted waters without permission: “that an updated illustrative map would serve to show all the necessary related interagency requirements would be a good idea and could serve as a useful tool to educate mariners and other interested stakeholders that operated in Montserrat waters.
This came about as a result of recent incidents within our borders and a recognised need to be clear about where yachters and other pleasure boaters are allowed to enter, berth, moor or anchor within Montserrat’s waters.
The attached document is being disseminated for publication on all available websites, Facebook Pages, Newspapers, in the print media, posted at the Port Authority compound, customs offices and any other medium that can be accessed by yachters, mariners and other interested parties.
The map was agreed upon following a meeting of stakeholders from the yachting community, the IBSU, the Port Authority, Marine Unit of the Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) and the Governor’s office. The map is intended as a useful tool to educate mariners and other interested stakeholders that operate in Montserrat waters.
The illustration provides information to show where yachts and other pleasure boats are allowed to enter, berth, moor or anchor within Montserrat’s waters.
