Red Ensign Group

GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, B.W.I. – The Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI) will host a number of United Kingdom “Red Ensign Group” (REG) representatives here 5 - 8 May at the Marriott Beach Resort on famed Seven Mile Beach. It will be the third time the Cayman Islands has acted as host for the organisation over the years. MACI is the corporate parent of the more than 100-year-old Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR).

The prestigious British red ensign is the flag of choice for many of the world’s finest vessels, both pleasure and commercial craft. Cayman is the world’s leader in the registry of luxury mega-yachts.

Currently there are nearly 2,000 vessels on the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR), established in the port of George Town in 1903. Of those, some 1,277 are pleasure craft, and 403 are commercial vessels. Additionally, there are some 245 “new builds” being constructed at shipyards around the globe which, when launched, will fly the Cayman flag. Cayman is designated “Category 1” status in the Red Ensign Group, meaning it can register ships of unlimited tonnage, type and length.

REG countries also sharing Category 1 status include Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, and the United Kingdom itself. Category 2 countries are Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Falkland Islands, Guernsey, Jersey, Montserrat, St. Helena and the Turks & Caicos Islands. Category 2 administrations may register ships of up to 150 gross tons and pleasure vessels, that is, those not operated commercially, of up to 400 gross tons (pleasure, by definition, refers to ships used for sport or pleasure which are not operated commercially).

The U.K.’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has delegated authority from the Secretary of State to ensure that the REG Registers maintain the highest international maritime standards in accordance with their obligations under international Conventions and in accordance with U.K. policy. The MCA fulfils this role through routine monitoring visits to each REG Register.

The annual conference is held over the course of several days and aims to provide an opportunity for a rich and open exchange between delegates from the Red Ensign Group and the various Governmental Departments associated with maritime policy and Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories. The conference seeks to strengthen maritime relationships between the members and aims to disseminate and promote best practice within the Red ensign Group. The annual conferences provide a forum for delegates to discuss policies and technical issues relating to current international rule making, maritime legislation, marine pollution prevention, and the welfare of seafarers both for ships registered under Red Ensign flags and for ships under other flags that visit the ports of REG members. Agenda items for the conference include significant issues suggested by the MCA, by the REG members themselves and by the attending Departments of Government, including the Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Individuals accompanying delegates will have their own programme which will include taking in some of Cayman’s popular attractions such as Boatswain’s Beach, home of the world’s only commercial sea turtle farm; the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, the National Museum and other historic downtown sites in George Town.

Additionally, delegates and their accompanying partners will enjoy a reception hosted by His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Stuart Jack and his wife, Mariko, at the Governor’s residence, and a dinner party hosted by the Hon. Financial Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Jefferson. Lastly, the Maritime Authority’s CEO, Mr. Joel Walton, will host a farewell dinner at the “Grand Old House”, a 100-year-old gracious plantation home overlooking the Caribbean Sea.