Background: MARPOL 73/78 is an international agreement and is the short name for the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships. The convention was adopted in 1973 and it's protocol in 1978 (hence the digits).
On Wednesday and Thurday of this week, I had the privelidge of attending a seminar on the MARPOL 73/78 convention, specifically dealing with Annex V which speaks to marine pollution by garbage. To say I learnt a lot may be an understatement. It opened my eyes to a lot of things ranging from governance issues to stupidity of governments (my words) to the complicated nature of life on the seas.
Day 1 had three presentations. Initially I was wondering if this would go well because the first set of introdutory speakers were somewhat nervous and resulted in less-than-perfect speeches. But it picked up and I was attentive and making notes on what was being presented. Lunch was rather good on the Freewinds- pasta with cheese, fish, beef (ground), vegetables, and all that jazz, plus dessert.
Day 2 (where a group of us decided to go back on our own) was perhaps just as or more informative than the previous day. I actually asked a question (and sounded slightly intellegent...I hope). I also introduced myself to one of the speakers who happens to work at the UNEP/CEP office in Jamaica where I was thinking of applying earlier this year. I got his card and an open invitation to visit. I'm improving! Lunch was also good...maybe even better than the day before, but can't really tell for sure.
It also happened that the Queen Mary 2 was docked at the Port. We were all amazed by it- even took pictures in front of it...well from a distance but still. Being on the Freewinds and seeing all the ships on the Port as well as knowing now what I do about the organised and clean nature of how ships operate, I have a greater desire to go on a cruise. It's on the list of things I want to do before God calls me from this earth and I do hope I get the chance. Maybe this chance will come when I work very hard and get a distinction for my Masters degree. (Hint, hint)
2 comments:
I hope to go on a cruise one day too. (sigh)
This is unbelievable to me. This conference was held on the Scientology ship the Freewinds?
Watch this video about the Freewinds dumping toxic waste:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh0yRvA_NHo
Google "Freewinds Asbestos". This ship was contaminated with the deadliest form of asbestos known to man. The Owner/Operators (Church of Scientology) where made aware of this when they first purchased the boat (around 1987) and did nothing! Not until it got released into the ventilation system while an outside firm was working on the refit, around April 2008.
I would love to go on a cruise too! Not on that boat though.
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