Highlights of International Safety@Sea Week 2018

Launched in 2014, the International Safety@Sea Week is one of MPA's key events where we actively engage the local and international maritime community to raise awareness and exchange views on maritime safety. The main objectives of the International Safety@Sea Week are to instil a safety-first culture and mindset, enhance communication and information sharing, and to improve the safe passage of vessels. Highlights during International Safety@Sea Week 2018 included the flagship international conference, exhibition booths display, thematic workshops, industry visits, Speaker's Dinner and Safety Awards presentation. In his opening remarks, CE announced that MPA would be committing about $800,000 in co-funding to help regional ferry operators upgrade to the new buckle-type lifejackets and implement customised lifejacket receptacles. The buckle-type lifejackets would be easier to wear in an emergency and have additional safety features. MPA would also be supporting the installation of lifejacket receptacles below individual seats so that the lifejackets would not be easily damaged and passengers could readily access them in an emergency. All MPA-licensed regional ferries would be required to comply with these new requirements by the end of next year.
The anchor event at the International Safety@Sea Week 2018 was the two-day International Safety@Sea Conference held on 20 and 21 June 2018. The conference served as a platform for maritime industry practitioners across different sectors to share best safety practices at sea. Keynote Speakers The MPA Safety@Sea Award, presented at the International Safety@Sea Conference on 21 June 2018, comprised of four different categories to recognise organisations which had contributed to safety at sea efforts such as Search and Rescue, consistent records of low incident rates or high safety scores, or international/local accreditation for innovative and technological solutions in maritime safety.