Virgin Islands to Adopt Cutting-Edge Global Standards
The Virgin Islands is strengthening its maritime safety and investigative capacity after Chief Marine Accident Investigator Jerome Padmore attended an International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI) training seminar in Tulsa, Oklahoma from February 22–25, 2026. The Government says the training — which covered digital evidence capture, advanced data recovery and vessel examination procedures, and included valuable engagement with industry vendors — will help the territory adopt global standards and improve cross-border collaboration.
The Virgin Islands is moving to adopt cutting-edge international standards for marine accident investigation after Chief Marine Accident Investigator Jerome Padmore of the Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA) took part in a four-day training seminar in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Padmore joined marine investigators, law enforcement officials, surveyors, marine fire investigators and maritime insurers from the United States and eleven other countries for the International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI) programme held February 22–25, 2026, the Government of the Virgin Islands said in a press release.
The seminar was described by organisers and participants as intensive and practical, aimed at modernising investigative techniques and strengthening global networks. According to Padmore, the training concentrated on enhanced inspection techniques, the effective use of emerging technologies and advanced interviewing skills.
He highlighted modern tools that are transforming marine investigations, including digital evidence capture, the latest data recovery methods and vessel examination procedures designed to increase accuracy, efficiency and the integrity of evidence. Padmore also told the Government that engaging with a wide range of industry vendors at the event was “equally valuable,” providing insight into practical solutions for preserving evidence, conducting thorough investigations and producing clearer, more useful reports.
He said the experience fostered strong professional relationships with marine safety experts around the world, which is increasingly important as investigations become more technology-driven and cross-border cooperation grows. MSIRA, which operates under the Premier’s Office, is the official body responsible for independent investigations of marine accidents and incidents within the Virgin Islands’ territorial waters.
The authority conducts inquiries guided by the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations, 2020 and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, the Government statement notes. MSIRA’s investigations are carried out to improve maritime safety through fact-based findings and recommendations and are not intended to apportion blame or establish liability.
For residents and users of the Territory’s waters — including charter operators, inter-island ferry services, fishers and recreational boaters — the Government says the training represents a direct investment in safer seas. Improved investigative techniques, faster and more robust evidence handling and closer ties with international investigators can speed up, clarify and strengthen post-incident analysis and support more targeted safety guidance.
The International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI) was described in the Government release as a global non-profit and a leading authority on accident reconstruction, vessel forensics and efforts to combat marine theft and fraud. The Government added that adopting these global standards will help ensure the Virgin Islands remains a responsible and safe maritime jurisdiction while fostering closer ties with international marine safety partners.
Officials say the new skills and contacts gained in Tulsa will be applied to MSIRA’s work going forward, with the aim of delivering clearer reports and recommendations that reduce the risk of repeat incidents and better protect residents, visitors and maritime workers.
Primary source: BVI Government