Consultations for maritime travel policy
ANATIONWIDE consultation has been undertaken this year to establish a National Policy on Maritime Travellers Rights. Officiating at the launch of the Western Division Maritime Travellers’ Rights public consultation in Nadi and Lautoka, Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Koya, highlighted that the Fijian Government was strengthening its efforts to provide safe, efficient, reliable and affordable shipping services to ensure that the right of every person to have reasonable access to transportation.
“With a National Policy on Maritime Travellers Rights what we want to achieve is a balance between the service provider and the traveller. The service providers are able to compete in an environment that is regulated. So, the travellers also need a mechanism that will give protection, a redress mechanism, when there are delays or cancellation of trips by the vessel operator.”
“The Policy will establish a minimum set of rights for passengers travelling by sea and inland waters, and requires carriers to provide assistance in the event of cancelled or delayed departures. The Policy will also provide persons with disability the same right, as anyone else, to maritime services. This way, we are making the move to create a more considerate and supportive travel environment,” he said. Minister Koya has urged all vessel operators, boat owners and maritime stakeholders to make submissions on their perspective on maritime travel, on what needs to improve and what needs to be done and what do they understand as being important to include as travellers rights.
“Your input is critical in making this national policy inclusive and robust. A policy that is there for the long-term, and that provides guidance for the development of appropriate legal framework that protects all travellers.” Divisional Commissioner Eastern, Vitale Varo, also shared the same sentiments saying that this is the right forum for people in maritime zones to raise issues that affecting them when travelling to the islands.
“When you talk about the Eastern Division, you talk about Lau, Lomaiviti, Kadavu and the island of Rotuma. If you’re from Lau, Lomaiviti, Kadavu or Rotuma, this is the right forum for you to raise issues that you face when you travelling out to the islands and also address your rights as maritime travelers,” he said.