IMO is running a two-week national training course on marine casualty and incident investigation, Colombo, Sri Lanka (29 February - 11 March). It will focus on training for casualty investigators and officials involved in maritime policy-making in Sri Lanka, thereby supporting the country’s institutional capacities and human resources. Topics will include implementation of casualty-related provisions in IMO treaties, such as regulations in IMO’s key maritime safety treaty SOLAS and the related mandatory Casualty Investigation Code.

IMO guidelines to assist investigators and guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers (more info here) are also on the agenda. Additionally, the course is designed to facilitate the exchange of information between investigators, in order to promote cooperation in the conduct of investigations at the national level. The event is being run by three IMO instructors and attended by 16 participants from the Merchant Shipping Secretariat, the Department of the Attorney General’s office and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.