The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) has launched a nationwide initiative to distribute 2,500 life jackets, aiming to enhance maritime safety for passengers traveling across the country’s inland and coastal waters.
The launch event attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from various government ministries, maritime industry leaders, civil society organizations, and media personnel.
During the opening remarks, Mr. Emmanuel B. A. Lansana, Deputy Executive Director of SLMA and ceremony chairman, reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving maritime safety. He referred to the distribution as “just a teaser from the many goodies in SLMA’s bag,” highlighting ongoing legislative reforms, including the Marine Pollution Bill and the Merchant Shipping Act, which is currently under consideration in Parliament.
Lansana noted that the free distribution of life jackets supports President Julius Maada Bio’s Feed Salone initiative, crucial for the food security and economic development of communities reliant on fishing and agricultural transport.
SLMA Executive Director Dr. Daniel Kaitibi praised his team’s dedication and announced that this year’s distribution includes various sizes, specifically designed for children, marking a significant step towards safeguarding younger passengers. He also mentioned recent diplomatic partnerships with the German and British High Commissions and the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, which will provide scholarships for SLMA staff pursuing maritime education. Kaitibi expressed satisfaction with progress on the amendment of the Merchant Shipping Act, now at the committee stage in Parliament.
Paramount Chief Bai Shebureh Lion II, President of the Sierra Leone United Boat Owners Association (SLUBOA), commended the SLMA for its long-standing partnership in promoting maritime safety. He stressed the economic importance of inland water transport and pledged to ensure that boat owners enforce the use of life jackets among passengers.
Hon. Bintu Mayers, Chairperson of the SLMA Board of Directors, expressed her excitement at the launch, recalling her visits to southern wharves where she noted a concerning shortage of life jackets. She emphasized the SLMA’s central obligation to ensure safety at sea and affirmed the Board’s support for the initiative.
Hon. Francis Momoh Bockarie, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Aviation, praised the SLMA for its transparency and proactive engagement with Parliament. He urged the administration to strengthen enforcement of life jacket regulations.
Mr. Mohamed E. Bangura, Director of Provincial and Border Security at the Office of National Security, highlighted the integral role of maritime safety in national security efforts and appreciated the SLMA’s collaborative approach.
Closing the event, Mr. Edward K. Yankson, Senior Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, lauded the life jacket distribution as a timely intervention for local motorized vessel passengers. He called for strict enforcement of life jacket usage, underscoring the SLMA’s commitment to safeguarding lives at sea.
The event concluded with a live demonstration by the SLMA’s Safety Department on the proper use of life jackets in emergency situations, serving as a practical reminder of their life-saving potential.
For more information, contact the Public Relations Unit at the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration via email at communication@maritime.gov.sl.
