Inspection Tour by SEMANAH in Northern and Northeastern Haiti
On September 19, 2026, Patrick Norzéus, the Director General of the Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH), led a comprehensive inspection and evaluation tour in the North and Northeast departments of Haiti. The objective of the tour was to enhance SEMANAH’s capacity, build stronger relationships with local authorities and partners, and improve the agency’s services in various sectors.
During the visit to Fort-Liberté in the Northeast, one of the key components was the reinstallation of 41 tsunami warning signs in collaboration with local authorities. This initiative is part of efforts to ensure that the city, recognized as Tsunami Ready, is prepared for possible tsunami disasters. The awareness campaign accompanying this effort aims to educate the public about the signs, their maintenance, and the recommended evacuation procedures in the event of an alert.
Norzéus underscored the sea’s significance in promoting a green economy and its contributions to the nation’s economic landscape, particularly the role of major ports despite challenges faced in the Far North. He highlighted ongoing port construction projects being evaluated by various economic stakeholders.
In addition, Norzéus urged community members to safeguard the newly installed signs, emphasizing their critical role in guiding evacuation routes and protecting lives during emergencies. Joanis Fleury, the Northeast Departmental Director of Civil Protection, committed to enhancing public education regarding the tsunami preparedness measures.
As part of the awareness initiative, a practical tsunami warning simulation exercise was conducted by SEMANAH, Civil Protection, GeoHazards International, and Fort-Liberté officials to familiarize residents with the signage system and evacuation routes in the event of a tsunami or earthquake.
In the North Department, Norzéus visited the port facilities managed by the National Port Authority (APN). During this visit, he addressed a shipwreck issue that hampers docking operations for coastal vessels and promised to seek solutions. He indicated plans to assist the Coast Guard in boosting its operational capacity at sea.
His visit also included stops at the Caracol coastal shipping area and various port locations where potential construction projects are under consideration. At the Labadee coastal shipping port, he met with the local SEMANAH representative and the President of the Seamen’s Union to discuss various sector challenges, emergency protocols, and opportunities for cooperative efforts.
The Seamen’s Union President raised concerns regarding the need for life jackets for maritime personnel. Although Norzéus clarified that the distribution of life jackets is not directly under SEMANAH’s purview, he reassured stakeholders of the agency’s commitment to maritime safety and indicated plans to provide a limited number of life jackets to sailors as a gesture of support.
Why It Matters
This inspection tour by SEMANAH is critical for enhancing preparedness for natural disasters and strengthening maritime safety in Haiti. By focusing on public education and improving infrastructure, the initiative seeks to protect lives and bolster the country’s economic stability through maritime activities.
