Enhancing Maritime Safety – Highlighted at North Sound Summit

Chief Marine Accident Investigator of the Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA), Mr. Jerome

Padmore, continues to spotlight the Territory’s growing need for strengthened maritime safety measures.

He underscored this message during the 2025 North Sound Summit held at Moskito Island’s Cape Stout Estate on 4 November.

The summit marked the island’s first year serving on the Summit’s Steering Committee alongside Necker Island and Oil Nut Bay, private island-developments in the Virgin Islands, owned by Sir Richard Branson and David V. Johnson, respectively. The event convened leading stakeholders from the Territory’s premier tourism and marine sectors, further solidifying a shared commitment to guiding sustainable development within the North Sound

This year’s summit welcomed representatives from the Premier’s Office, including Mr. Padmore and Fisheries Manager Ms. Abbi Christopher. Their participation underscored the Government’s strong and ongoing focus on maritime safety, responsible marine management, and environmental stewardship

A key moment of the summit was Mr. Padmore’s detailed presentation on enhancing maritime safety throughout the Territory. He outlined the mandate of the Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA), emphasising its role in conducting independent, non-blame investigations into marine accidents to determine root causes and prevent future incidents. His presentation addressed recent cases involving vessel collisions, capsizings, mooring failures, and navigational errors, several of which carry direct implications for operators and users of the North Sound

Mr. Padmore also announced the launch of the government’s new official website, which includes a dedicated section for MSIRA at gov.vg/MSIRA, providing public access to safety reports, incident-reporting tools, and educational resources. He stressed the importance of building a Territory-wide safety culture, strengthening alignment with international standards established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the III Code, and deepening communication between government bodies and private-sector marine stakeholders

The four-hour summit also featured targeted discussions and a networking luncheon, providing an opportunity for participants to collaborate on improving inter-island transportation, emergency response coordination, and visitor safety standards across the Virgin Islands. Stakeholders expressed unanimous support for continued partnership to ensure the North Sound remains a safe, well-managed, and world-class maritime destination.

###

About:

The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA) operates under the Premier’s Office and is the official body responsible for the independent investigation of marine accidents and incidents within the territorial waters of The Virgin Islands. Guided by the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations, 2020 and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, MSIRA's primary objective is to enhance maritime safety through fact-based investigations, the identification of safety issues, and the issuance of recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. MSIRA investigations do not seek to apportion blame or establish liability.