GUERNSEY will host the prestigious Red Ensign Group conference next June. The annual event provides a forum for discussion of any maritime issues affecting all British-registered ships that are entitled to fly the flag.

That amounts to thousands of private and commercial vessels worldwide, because it includes any which are registered but not necessarily resident in the UK, Crown Dependencies or UK overseas territories.

Guernsey has category two status and can register commercial ships up to 150 tons and pleasure vessels up to 400.

Harbour master Captain Peter Gill is the local delegate and recently returned from this year’s event in Bermuda, at which he formerly offered Guernsey as the host.

‘This is an incredibly significant event and we are looking forward to hosting next year’s immensely. It is an honour,’ he said.

The island last staged the conference in 1997.

‘It discusses maritime policies, technical issues in respect of regulation, marine safety, pollution prevention and the welfare of seafarers for ships on their registers worldwide and for visiting ships in their waters.’

The group advises the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency, which in turn makes representations to the International Maritime Organisation – the branch of the United Nations responsible for international maritime legislation.

‘REG represents all of our interests to effectively deliver policy.’

This year’s convention focused on promoting the interests of private yachts, the implementation of the new Maritime Labour Law and other matters including recommendations arising from accident reports.

Next year, Capt. Gill hopes to put pressing local matters onto the agenda, including the logistics of hosting large cruise ships and regulating jet-ski use.

‘In Bermuda, they have huge lagoons and jet skis are allowed almost everywhere. But that is not to say they are popular. The Cayman Islands have no jet-ski regulation and has expressed an interest in how we do it.

‘We will also discuss the pros and cons of being a cruise ship destination, such as administration costs, port charges and the task of dealing with the waste of a 5,000-passenger ship.’

The harbour master expects 30 delegates to attend the Guernsey conference, with up to half of them bringing their spouse.

‘My wife came out to Bermuda and we spent a few days either side to make a holiday of it. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hope our visitors will do the same next year.’