Works and Transport Ministry acquires state-of-the-art rescue boats, Maritime Training Centre

In a bid to promote safety on Ugandan waterways, the Ministry of works and transport has acquired a state-of-the-art fully equipped and furnished maritime training facility.

The facility has been furnished with a modern swinging pool for enhancing the training of divers and frequent lake users in swinging tactics.

A state-of-the-art simulator for training fresh marine vessel controllers and enhancing competence for those already in service has been put in place. Henry Ategeka, the Principal inspector of vessel in the marine department of ministry of works and transport said the maritime training facility is geared towards equipping a variety of maritime related skills to applicants.

“We are going to liaise with Uganda Vocational, Technical and Assessment Board under Ministry of Education and Sports to assess and examine enrolled trainees,” he said.

He said the facility is part of the broader multinational Lake Victoria maritime communications and transport project which is intended to enhance Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities and establish a robust maritime communication system funded by the African Development Bank.

In Uganda, already five SAR have been constructed at Kaazi and Masese on Lake Victoria, Zengebe on Lake Kyoga and Panyamur on Lake Albert, while the regional coronation centre is in Mwanza Tanzania. “Search and Rescue centres play crucial role in maritime communication by co-ordinating rescue operations for people, ships and craft in distress,” Ategeka said.

The project involved putting in place state-of-the-art search and rescue boats, a fully fledged ICU ambulance boat to handle those health complications on the water and fire fight boat.