Bahamas Registry Signs Washington Declaration at Shipping 2012

The Bahamas Maritime Authority today has joined the Panama, Liberia and Marshall Islands as the newest registry to sign the Washington Declaration Condemning Acts of Violence Against Seafarers.

The Declaration, signed by Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands in August 2011, outlines a commitment to share information regarding acts of violence and piracy onboard these registries' vessels to the International Maritime Bureau so the organization can better evaluate the impact of these crimes on crews.

In signing the Declaration, Bahamas Commodore Davy Rolle said:

Piracy is a true blight on maritime trade. But only some aspects make the headlines. We may read about the 'threat to shipping' in quite abstract terms. We may also read that a ship has been released on payment of a ransom of millions of dollars but at the heart of every story is the crew - the hostages - ordinary seafarers who have been held in conditions where food and water is rationed, but intimidation is not. Held in conditions of unimaginable squalor and guarded by armed young men. Let us never forget the seafarers who pay the human cost of piracy.

We believe that our commitment to this declaration will provide a strong signal that Bahamians remain aware and concerned about the dangers faced by seafarers from all states. And in recognising their courage, let us look forward to the time when piracy is a distant memory.

With the Bahamas signing today, now the world's four largest flag states have joined the Declaration. It will be interesting to see which others follow suit.