Maritime & Firestone Sign a Win-Win Agreement
Liberians to Get Seafaring Experience on Vessels
September 30, 2008
On September 30, 2008, the Bureau of Maritime Affairs (BMA) and the Firestone Natural Rubber Corporation (represented by L & C Marine) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Baltimore, Maryland, to initiate an internship program for apprentice seafarers, who have graduated from a World Maritime University approved training program - an example of a successful BMA/LISCR negotiation effort.
The program, which will provide invaluable hands-on training via sea time on two Liberian-registered Firestone vessels – The Harbel Cutlass and The Harbel Tapper, will offer Firestone additional trained resources to assist in the daily operation of their ships, while developing the seafarers’ understanding of the technical, practical and social characteristics required of highly trained professionals in the maritime industry. These seafarers have to be appropriately qualified as an officer or rating to be hired onboard Liberian-registered vessels.
The maiden voyage of the onboard Firestone training internship will sail from Monrovia on November 23, 2008, with two seafarers who have been vetted by both the BMA & L & C Marine.
Currently, there are around 33 seafarers in Liberia, who have recently received upgraded training. On average, Liberian seafarers are in their mid 40’s with minimal work experience due to the civil crisis. On most vessels, the hiring age ranges from 25 to 45 years, thus limiting the competitiveness of Liberian seafarers. For recent graduates from the Regional Maritime University in Ghana, job placement is often hindered due to the difficulty in seafarers getting placed onboard vessels. Realizing the hardships faced by Liberia’s trained seamen, the Bureau of Maritime Affairs, during recent months, has been negotiating with various entities to secure training and employment opportunities for qualified Liberian maritime personnel.
Now in his sixth month as Commissioner of the BMA, Mr. Binyah C. Kesselly says, “Efforts will continue to be made to get more qualified Liberians onboard vessels as ratings, seafarers, engineers and captains.” Although Liberia has the second largest shipping registry in the world, it is an open-registry, therefore ship owners are not obligated to hire Liberians on their vessels. The hiring process is highly competitive.
According to Commissioner Kesselly, “The training and development of Liberians interested in the maritime profession is paramount, especially if Liberia is to transition from being a nation with a maritime program to a leading maritime nation. As such, one of the most critical elements and strategic drivers of this migration is capacity building.”
To help build the capacity of maritime professionals in Liberia, the BMA also offers a month-long summer internship in the United States for students pursuing 4-year Maritime disciplines, where the interns are introduced to the business organizational structure, decision-making processes, operating procedures and work ethic found in the maritime and transportation industries. Additionally, ongoing training is available for Liberian seafarers through short-term courses offered throughout the year at the Regional Maritime University in Accra, Ghana.
The BMA continues to forge an open and supportive relationship with the United Seamen, Ports and General Workers Union. Over the past few months, representatives of the BMA and the Union have been meeting weekly to highlight the valuable role upcoming Liberian trained seafarers intend to play in the maritime industry.
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