WATERWAYS SAFETY: 120 Boat Operators to be Trained by WABOTAN On Saturday

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) is set to train no less than 120 boat operators on waterways safety and safe navigation on Saturday 19th November 2022.

Speaking in Lagos on Monday, President of WABOTAN, Comrade Tope Fajemirokun states that the training exercise would hold at the Apapa Local Government hall, Burma Road, Apapa Lagos.

According to him, the refresher training is going to be conducted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) as well as the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA)

Comrade Fajemirokun stated that this exercise is necessary because of the usual rush of the ember months in water transportation and the attendant mishaps.

“We want to train our members, especially the drivers on Saturday 19th of November 2022. After the training, a certificate shall be issued by NIMASA, LASWA and NIWA.

“The certificate would enable the participants go for an oral test at NIMASA, if they pass this test, they would go for their medical after which they would be issued their PDSC.

“We want to refresh the brain of our members because it is about safety first. We are in the ember months now, and it is believed in some quarters that accidents usually increase in December, however we in our own do not pray for this to happen.
So, we want to create safety awareness for our members and place them on high alert and being sefety conscious.

“NIMASA, NIWA and LASWA are the major trainers, National Safety Commission is coming, the insurance companies among others.

“We are looking at training about 120 boat operators.
The one day training is free, but participants would be required to pay a token of N1,000 as participation fee. This is just for the arrangements of their certificate” he said

DAILY TREND reports that it is NIMASA’s responsibility to ensure training, and issuing of Power Driven Small Crafts (PDSC) Operators Certificate to all boat operators.

Our correspondent reports that PDSC Certificate is issued after an oral test is conducted for the boat operators who have passed through PDSC courses at recognized institutions by NIMASA.
According to the requirements listed by NIMASA, candidates must be at least 18 years old, have served 4 years as a deck rating, Seafarers Medical Certificate, Basic safety Training, and Security Awareness Certificate.

The candidates according to the apex regulatory agency must also demonstrate knowledge on the following: ability to start, stop and maneuver small craft, Helm orders

Others are; Navigational lights and shapes carried by ships, usage of Lifesaving and Fire Fighting appliances. Collision regulations as applied to Inland Waters, Carry out Emergency procedures in cases such as during rainstorms, fire, collision, man over board, among others.