SAFETY: Bourdillion Marine & Technical Trains LASWA Staff on Marine Emergency First Responders

By Roland Ekama

 

Determined to mitigate boat mishaps on Lagos’ waterways, Bourdillion Marine and Technical (BMT) has commenced a week-long training exercise for personnel of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Marine Emergency First Responders.

Organizers of the capacity-building program stated that the training focuses on personnel from the Lagos Agency’s water guards search and rescue team, Batch B.

The training includes swimming practical lessons, theoretical aspects of the Shipping Act, trade unionism, and the Cabotage Act, among others.

Over twenty personnel from the LASWA Search and Rescue department are participating in the week-long exercise.

Speaking on Monday at the launch held at the headquarters of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) in Lagos, Convener and Managing Director of Bourdillion Marine and Technical (BMT), Engineer Wale George, stated that the program is designed to mitigate boat mishaps on the waterways.

 

The BMT boss said the training is based on rescue and distress missions on the waterways, noting that the state government has embarked on optimal usage of the waterways, hence the protection of lives, passengers, and properties.

He said the Lagos State government has empowered LASWA to ensure the safety of lives and passengers on inland waters and to further mitigate any forms of hazards on the waterways.

He pointed out that the water guards will be trained to be effective and efficient in responding to rescues or distress calls.

George said the water guards are designated at all jetties across the state’s inland waters, stressing that the training aims to facilitate rescue missions in terms of distress and provision of first aid whenever needed.

According to him, the participants are first aiders who will work on rescue missions, hence the training to boost their capacity.

He noted, “The role of Bourdillion Marine is to train the first aiders on how to save lives in the waterways.”

Continuing, he said, “Boat handlers, divers, first aiders, and engineers are some of the beneficiaries and are currently receiving training on how to dive into the water for rescue missions because rescue missions are teamwork by the water guards.”

George, who is also the Vice President of the NMNOWTSSA, stated that the training is based on theory and practical sessions, adding that swimming in pools and natural waters within Lagos’ waters are embedded in the tailored lectures.

The Bourdillion Marine and Technical boss also disclosed that the NMNOWTSSA and LASWA are partners in progress in the training exercise.

He also commended the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for investing massively to boost waterways transportation in the state.

 

Also speaking, Technical Coordinator of BMT, Comrade Abel Okey, said that the first day of the training program was based on the introductory aspects of Marine Emergency First Responders.

Okey, who also serves as the Zonal Secretary of the NMNOWTSSA, said standards must not be compromised when it involves marine-related activities, hence the training program for LASWA personnel.

He affirmed that BMT will focus on building capacity for other agencies under the Marine and Blue Economy subsector