Head of UK coastguard agency to visit

The head of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey, will visit the Island on 8 April 2014.

 

During his visit, he will sign a new agreement between the MCA and the Economic Development Department, allowing the Island to register commercial ships of larger tonnage than in the past.

 

Sir Alan will also meet representatives of the Jersey Ships Registry, the Jersey Coastguard and the local ship management and finance industries. The MCA has a wide range of functions related to ship registration and associated surveys and certification for the UK merchant fleet. As part of that broad remit, it supports and helps to maintain safety standards for all British shipping registries across the whole Red Ensign Group. Jersey is a member of this group, together with the other Crown Dependencies and nine UK Overseas Territories.

 

Economic Development Minister, Senator Alan Maclean, said "I am delighted that Sir Alan Massey should find the time to come to see us and set his seal on our progress. I have always believed that we should build on our maritime heritage and use the strong finance sector here in Jersey to grow this part of the Island's business alongside it. They are mutually supportive industries and should take full advantage of that."

 

The MCA also runs the UK national coastguard, search and rescue services, and in that context Sir Alan will spend part of the day with Harbour Master and Chief Coastguard, Commodore Barry Goldman CBE.