Boost to importance of safety out at sea
THE Fijian Government spends about $25,000 per search and rescue operation.
The onus is therefore on boat owners to make use of what they learned during a training this week targeted at educating and creating awareness on the need to adhere to safety protocols when out at sea.
The comments were made by Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji’s manager ships inspection, Captain Sesoni Komaisoso, at the closing of a weeklong Boat Master License and Restricted Master Engineer Class 6 (BML/RME 6) training at Nakalawaca Village in Tailevu.
The training features 59 participants of which 15 were women belonging to the Nakalawaca Women’s Club that recently were donated a solar powered boat by the Pacific Community (SPC) through funding by the European Union.
Captain Komaisoso said the training was designed specifically to ensure that Fijians who Fiji’s oceans and waterways understood the importance of safety out at sea.
“I am honoured to be here this morning because it is always encouraging to see Fijians utilise Government initiatives such as this, in the hope that it will assist Fijian in the betterment of their livelihoods,” he said.
“The Fiji Government allocated a budget to MSAF for this financial year, this includes government initiative in subsidising fees for seafarer certification and training and also survey and registration for ships less than 15 metres in length, thus promoting inter-island movement and supporting Fijians in obtaining licenses as well as creating pathways to higher education.”
A total of 15 BML/RME 6 trainings had already been conducted around the country.
Two are underway at Somosomo in Taveuni and Naroi on the island of Moala in Lau. More than 2000 Fijians had already received their licenses at the completion of their training.
“Fiji has a total of 5302 seafarers and by receiving your certificates, you have the seafaring family, but of course with certain limitations, however, it should not prevent you from aiming for higher qualifications,” Captain Komaisoso said.