Guernsey will be represented at the annual Red Ensign Group conference, taking place in the Falkland Islands on 4 - 6 February 2020.
Any vessel registered in the UK, a Crown Dependency or a British Overseas Territory, is classed as a "British ship" and is entitled to fly the Red Ensign flag.
The Red Ensign Group is made up of the 13 administrations around the world where these ships are registered. Its members span two oceans and five seas, including territories as far apart as the South Atlantic and the Caribbean. Its combined fleet is the 9th largest in the world.
The REG meets annually and its mission is to promote and uphold high standards throughout the Red Ensign fleet.
This year the UK will be audited against its maritime responsibilities by the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) and, as part of that process, the IMO's audit team may come to Guernsey to assess how we perform as a ship registry. Membership of the Red Ensign Group helps us prepare for such audits and measure how well Guernsey meets our flag, coastal and port state responsibilities.
Guernsey's Harbourmaster, Captain David Barker, who is also the Registrar of British Ships for Guernsey, said:
"The Conference gives all members of the Red Ensign Group a voice. It is a forum to exchange experiences and ideas, identify what is best practise, and to represent Guernsey on the international stage. I am looking forward to sharing how we have prepared for the IMO audit with my counterparts from around the world. On a personal level, I will be delighted to return to the Falkland Islands, having visited a number of times during my service in the Royal Navy."