Tristan represented at Red Ensign conference
Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
Group photograph of the Red Ensign conference delegates gathered in the grounds of the conference venue, the St Pierre Park Hotel outside Guernsey's capital St Peter Port.
Tristan da Cunha's Deputy Director of Fisheries Rodney Green led the island's delegation as some of the world's leading experts gathered in Guernsey to discuss safety at sea.
The Red Ensign Group unites maritime authorities that are linked with the United Kingdom. Tristan da Cunha doesn't have its own shipping register but is invited to the REG conference as it has 'coastal state' safety duties under international law.
Guernsey's Bailiff, Sir Richard McMahon, rang the ship's bell that signalled the start of the conference.
He is flanked by conference co-chairs James Way (Guernsey harbour master, left)
and Richard Pellew (Maritime and Coastguard Agency, right)
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| Rodney, front, in discussion with fellow South Atlantic delegates |
TdC delegation nameplates |
Rodney chatting with the chairman of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Lord Simon Stevens
Four days of discussions began on 23th June with a gathering of the South Atlantic Working Group.This was a chance to exchange best-practice ideas with colleagues from Ascension, St Helena, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Rodney provided an update on the changes expected when Tristan's fishing contract changes hands. The new concession-holder Fortuna is expected to introduce new vessels for Tristan's fishing operations and passenger/freight links. Other topics for the group included pollution-control training and the regulation of small craft.
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| Chris Carnegy and Rodney Green by the ceremonial Red Ensign ship's bell always used to start and end conference sessions. |
Rodney with Guernsey harbourmaster and conference co-chair James Way |
The main conference ran throughout 24th and 25th June. A powerful presentation from the Falklands team shared lessons learned from the loss of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia in July 2024. Delegates also heard about the future of UK government support for maritime safety in the Overseas Territories, discussed the challenge of providing medivacs for visiting vessels, and explored latest developments around training for seafarers and the investigation of marine accidents,
The week provided a valuable opportunity for personnel from across the Overseas Territories to network and learn from each other's experiences - all with the aim of saving lives in places that depend on the sea.
South Atlantic delegates including Tristan's Island Councillor Rodney Green, second left,
and former Tristan Administrator Alex Mitham representing St Helena, far right.