ISPS Code Workshop participants (BIS Photo / Gena Gibbs)
Nassau, The Bahamas — Minister of Transport and Aviation, the Hon. Glennys Hanna Martin opened the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) workshop at the Prince George Dock Port Department on May 21.
“I am pleased to be here to declare open this important workshop, which seeks to sharpen an awareness as it relates to the correct, efficient, and effective implementation of the ISPS code and ultimately to protection of our sea borders,” said Minister Hanna Martin.
“There was a time in this country and indeed in most countries worldwide, there are ports of entry, both air and sea, were pure and simple, portals to new destinations, apart from what were there in the usual official process of immigration and customs. All of this changed in the event which is now known as 9/11.”
Minister Hanna Martin said that the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, which occurred in the United States of America, resulted in shaking up the entire world. She said it alerted a universal consciousness that ports of entry could be used to penetrate states and cause harm and interference to the peace and tranquility of sovereign people.
“The world learned that persons with warped motivations and disturbed minds could simply walk through an open door and cause death and destruction to innocent, unsuspecting human beings, and we now know they can engage in transnational crime, such as the trafficking of firearms, thereby destabilising societies,” said Minister Hanna Martin.
“But the protection of our seaports does require a delicate, but certain balance, because ports of entry are, by and large, still portals to new destinations. But travellers must now be subject to new and more stringent processes. And those of you who are charged with the protection of these seaports must ensure that at no time are there any weak links, either technical, technological, or human. We must never let our guard down.”
Minister Hanna Martin explained that it is when you least suspect that you are most vulnerable and those who seek to inflict havoc understand that principle very well. She said the workshop comprises of both public and private sector stakeholders who have responsibility for implementing the ISPS code, which shows the workshop is an important initiative.
“As mandated by the ISPS code, there must be continuous evaluation by each state of its security regime, so as to ensure a sustained effective security system, both in theory and in practice. There must be continued quality assurance assessments integrated into the codes at adaptation and implementation,” said Minister Hanna Martin.
“The protection of our seaports and airports is serious business. If there is a weak link, the implications could be very severe. This collaboration between the United States and The Bahamas is yet another example of the close links between our countries, which share a common interest as regional partners in matters such as this.”
Minister Hanna Martin said to the participants that she trusts their discussions will be perceptive and incisive. She said the Code is the framework for risk management activities, which identifies appropriate security measures. She said risk assessments must be collected for each individual case to provide standardised risk evaluation, which enables Governments to adjust changes to border security according to changes in vulnerability of security measures for ships and port facilities.
