LASWA wraps up Africa’s first ferry safety mentoring programme

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has completed the third module of Africa’s first Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Programme, a landmark initiative designed to professionalise the continent’s inland waterway sector and raise safety benchmarks.

The module, which focused on ferry safety, trained 50 emerging ferry professionals in emergency preparedness, incident response, and practical safety protocols, LASWA announced on Tuesday.

The programme, delivered in partnership with Interferry, the global ferry industry association, combined self-paced online learning with intensive hands-on training. The academic sessions were facilitated by Dr. Bolaji Dunsin and Dr. Ayaobu-Cookey of the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research. Participants also engaged in an interactive session with Darren Johnston, Vice President of Marine Operations at BC Ferries, who shared international best practices in ferry safety and operations.

The practical component, held on 29 July 2026 at the Prime Atlantic Safety Services Limited training facility in Ogun State, gave participants real-life experience in critical emergency procedures. Under the supervision of PASS instructors, trainees practised abandon ship drills, including alarm recognition, mustering, headcounts, and survival craft preparation and deployment. They also trained in man-overboard response, covering bridge coordination, vessel manoeuvring, rescue operations, and first aid.

LASWA’s General Manager, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, praised the PASS training team, led by Senior Training Instructor Mr. Gbenga Kuku, for delivering world-class practical instruction. He also thanked PASS Managing Director Mrs. Folake Soyannwo for providing access to the state-of-the-art training facility.

Emmanuel acknowledged Interferry for sponsoring the programme and extended special gratitude to Mrs. Shari Corrigan, Director of Conferences and Finance at Interferry and Executive Sponsor of FerrySafe, for her steadfast commitment to advancing ferry safety across Africa.

With Module Three completed, the programme now moves to Module Four: Introduction to Engine Systems, scheduled for August 2026. The initiative continues to set new standards for professional excellence, building a cadre of competent, safety-conscious ferry personnel who will help drive safer and more sustainable inland waterway transport in Lagos, Nigeria, and across the continent.