About World Maritime Day
Every year the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates World Maritime Day. The exact date is left to individual governments but is usually celebrated during the last week in September. The day is used to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO's work.
About the United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard (USCG), an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of seven uniformed services. In addition to being a military branch at all times, it is unique among the armed forces in that it is also a maritime law enforcement agency (with jurisdiction both domestically and in international waters) and a federal regulatory agency. The USCG has a broad and important role in homeland security, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental pollution response, and the maintenance of river, intracoastal and offshore aids to navigation. As the lead maritime regulatory agency, the Coast Guard develops national regulations, standards and policies to enhance maritime safety, security and stewardship. In addition, the Coast Guard represents the United States at the IMO for the development and execution of international standards. The Coast Guard’s motto “Semper Paratus”, Latin for “Always Ready”, is one fitting for all of the Coast Guard’s missions.
More information about US Coast Guard.
About the International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations with 168 Member States and three Associate Members. The IMO was first established by convention in 1948 and held its first meeting in1959. IMO’s main task has been to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping that includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping. The IMO is based in the United Kingdom with around 300 international staff. IMO’s specialized committees and sub-committees are the focus for the technical work to update existing legislation or develop and adopt new regulations, with meetings attended by maritime experts from Member Governments, together with those from interested intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The result is a comprehensive body of international conventions, supported by hundreds of recommendations governing every facet of shipping. The conventions include key treaties such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) for the prevention of accidents, including standards for ship design, construction, equipment, operation and manning, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) for the prevention of pollution by ships, and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), for the standards of training for seafarers.
More information about the International Maritime Organization.
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