FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(June 06, 2003)

International Registries FE Ltd, IRI (FE), the Hong Kong-based regional administrator of the Marshall Islands ship registry is launching initiatives to bolster security through a series of measures involving improved authentication of both officer’s licenses and seafarer identification books.

The regional office of the registry handles thousands of applications from Asian seafarers and have issued Certificates of Receipt of Application (CRAs) to seafarers who need to join a Marshall Islands’ registered vessel immediately.

Currently IRI (FE) is working on methods to improve verification of seafarer officer Certificates of Competency (COC).

“We are in the process of introducing a new procedure that will require a local filing agent in the officer’s home country to provide the Marshall Islands registry with certified verification from the national government’s authorities that officers’ national COC’s are valid,” said Bill McCuskey, Business Development Manager for IRI (FE).

“We are already using similar verification by our local filing agents for personal identification when seafarers apply for Marshall Islands Seafarer Identification and Record Books (SIRB),” added McCuskey.

Looking further ahead IRI (FE) is planning to add detailed identification information, including biometric data on Marshall Islands SIRB and Officers’ Certificates of Competency.

The initiatives are aimed at providing an extra layer of security to further protect shipowners registered with the Marshall Islands. Additional verification will reduce the risk of unregistered seafarers fraudulently working onboard Marshall Islands registered vessels.

The aim of the new programme is to reduce risk for both shipowners and also seamen working onboard Marshall Islands registered vessels.