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Captain Suleman Mahtab joins Ministry of Transport, Marine Safety and Security
9-09-2015
Captain Suleman Mahtab, a renowned international Marine professional, after about a year-long extensive competition process, has succeeded to secure the position within the federal Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Marine Safety and Security, as the Senior Marine Safety Inspector and Compliance & Enforcement Officer.
In a letter of designation and appointment issued by the Director General, Transport Canada, Marine Safety and Security, and pursuant to Section 11 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 the federal Minister of Transport and Infrastructure has authorized Capt. Muhammad Suleman Mahtab to perform the Minister’s duties and functions, exercise the Minister’s powers and carry out inspections, compliance & enforcement of Canada Shipping Act, 2001 under Section 211 of that Act with respect to Marine Safety & Security, inspections of pleasure crafts and commercial ships and protection of the Marine Environment. He has also been designated as a Pollution Prevention Officer under Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act by the Governor In Council and is vested with powers under Sections 23 and 15(4)(a), (b), and (c) of that Act.
The Transport Canada, Marine Safety and security program protects life, health, property and the marine environment in the context of an efficient and sustainable marine transportation system worthy of public confidence. The Marine Safety program develops and administers a national program supported by approximately 620 employees and a budget of approximately $65 million - to serve Canadians. TCMSS’s mandate includes the full spectrum of responsibilities related to the safety of vessels, pleasure crafts and environmental protection. The department develops, administrates and enforces national and international laws and policies governing marine safety, and the protection of the marine environment; promotes safe practices and procedures; develops and maintains regulations, examinations, and training standards for the certification of seafarers - including issuing Certificates of Competency; responds to marine occupational safety and health issues; maintains a Canadian vessel registry; delivers an internal technical training program to the program's inspector community; delivers prevention-based programs to promote small vessel/recreational boating safety; conducts research in the marine transportation sector (e.g. safety equipment); administers the navigable waters protection program; and oversee pilotage matters.
The Marine Safety program derives its authority from numerous Acts which include the Canada Shipping Act 2001, Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, Safe Containers Act, Pilotage Act, Canada Labour Code Part II, and Coasting Trade Act. In addition, Marine Safety is required to enforce a variety of international conventions (agreements), to which Canada is a signatory. These conventions apply to foreign vessels in Canadian waters and to Canadian vessels trading internationally.
In response to a question as to how he sees his new role and scope in the prevailing high-paced maritime industry, Captain Mahtab said “This is indeed not only a great achievement, a challenging and highly responsible position but also a unique opportunity to utilize all my life-long experience and skills to further action; and I am confident to produce positive results for our maritime community. This is a great opportunity to serve Canada and the Canadians. It’s a Canada-wide team work and the department is guided by the Marine Safety & Security program's key (preset) results. These key results support Transport Canada's strategic direction, which in turn support the federal government's overall agenda of providing for a safe and secure transportation system that contributes to Canada's social development and security objectives; an efficient transportation system that contributes to Canada's economic growth and trade objectives; and an environmentally responsible transportation system that contributes to Canada's sustainable development objectives”.
Captain Mahtab will carry out his function from the TCMS&S Regional Headquarters in Vancouver, BC. Prior to accepting this ‘dream’ position, he has served international marine industry for 25 years. In addition, he was the Chief Instructor and National Coordinator for Fire & Safety trainings in British Columbia for several years. Most recently he has served as Operations Manager at West-shore Terminal and a ferry-ship Captain with BC Ferries in Victoria. He is a volunteer advisor to the Canadian Red Cross and is member of two technical committees of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of USA. As many of us know, Captain Mahtab holds the honor of working on a UN project for the Government of Pakistan to develop and author the first-ever National Fire & Safety Policy of Pakistan.
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