SVG Coast Guard Officer graduates with honours

COAST GUARD Petty Officer, Dwight Lewis graduated with distinction and honours from the International Maritime Law Institute with a Masters degree in International Maritime Law.

This United Nations institute, situated in Malta, just south of Italy, is in the top categories worldwide for maritime legal education.

Information from a former graduate of the Institute said Lewis won the “Transport Malta” prize for Best Performance in Shipping Law. As Malta is a leading flag state in maritime legal education, ship and super yacht registration, this is a distinct achievement and demonstrates the hard work, intellect and skill that Lewis possesses.

Lewis was awarded a scholarship funded by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on recommendation from the St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Maritime Administration to undertake this Masters programme.

Director, Hyrone Johnson and his predecessor, Cmdr.

David Robin (who both attended the World Maritime University, Sweden) demonstrate a commitment to maritime education by recommending individuals to attend IMLI. SVG still has one of the biggest ship registries in the world with over 1500 yachts, cargo vessels and other ships flying its flag.

Lewis’ lecturers, lawyers and academics from countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Sierra Leone, Algeria and Honduras, speak highly of him and his maritime expertise which is partially attributed to his practical knowledge and experience from the SVG Coast Guard.

The IMO Secretary General, Kitack Lim, in his annual address to the 2022 graduates stated “You have the privilege of being educated at IMLI – a center of excellence in international maritime law, the dissemination of knowledge and expertise in the field and a cornerstone of IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation programme.”

IMLI graduates are intended to assist countries with the incorporation of IMO Conventions.

As of October 2022, SVG has incorporated 29 IMO Conventions.

This year the course held 56 maritime professionals, including Lewis, from more than 25 different countries.

This is a hallmark of international courses like IMLI that exposes the candidate to nationalities and cultures they would not otherwise encounter. This is also the nature of international trade and shipping.

All IMLI graduates are trained in maritime law as well as legislative drafting which is a significant part of this rigorous course.

Previous graduates include Zhinga Horne-Edwards, a lawyer and maritime specialist who graduated in 1997, and Chevanev Charles a lawyer, legislative drafter and former legal officer for the Maritime Administration who graduated in 2016. Dwight Lewis has joined a unique network of maritime professionals and having completed a course at this level with an award during the COVID-19 pandemic should be very proud of his achievement.

Individuals with a legal or maritime background who wish to undertake the LL.M international maritime law course are encouraged to seek more information at the SVG Maritime Administration or by calling 456-1378.