NEC okays new NMSA board

 PETER Humphreys has been appointed chairman of the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) board.

Minister for Transport Ano Pala announced the appointments of the new board members last week, saying the National Executive Council had endorsed the names on June 12.

They are chairman Humphreys, representing the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr Ray Anerere representing the National Research Institute; Transport secretary Roy Mumu, Donald Hehonare representing the Treasury Department, Susana Germino representing the Coastal Shipowners  Association, Stanley Alphonse, chief executive officer of PNG Ports, Charles Kassman representing the three coastal regions and general manager of the authority, Chris Rupen.

Pala said they were appointed because the industry had faith in their good standing and competence as experts in the respective sectors they represented.

“I look forward to their advice on good policy formulation to improve and maintain a safe maritime industry,” he said.

Humphreys said it was the mandate of the board to maintain maritime safety in PNG.

“This board has a responsibility to ensure that the recommendations of the COI are implemented, to ensure the government provides the support and assistance which NMSA requires to achieve its operational goals in relation to maintaining safety.”

Humphreys takes over from Dr Thomas Webster, the director of the National Research Institute.

On the board’s agenda are marine pilotage, maintenance of important maritime infrastructure, marine environment protection, implementation of the Small Craft Act, search and rescue and implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the mv Rabaul Queen.