Training to help expand maritime safety knowledge
Strengthening her knowledge on maritime safety practices to avoid accidents while out at sea is an important for local fisherwoman Emelina Toga.
Mrs Toga is one of the oldest participants amongst 150 others that attended a boat master training at the Seafarers Centre in Walu Bay.
She is also amongst only five female participants present at the training.
Facilitated by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), the two weeks training will offer participants certification on boat masters license and after that restricted master engineer Class six.
Before the training, she was not well aware of various maritime safety practices.
“I did not know much about safety practices whiel out at sea but this training helped me understand these practices.” she said.
After the training, Mrs Toga plans to buy a fiber boat and an engine to put into practice all she learnt from the training.
MSAF Captain Viliame Loganimoce said the Fijian Government helped fund the training to help grow the maritime industry.
He said over the years, local seafarers from the maritime areas have the knowledge and experience in shipping but lacked the qualification.
The boat masters license training and restricted master engineer Class six are offered at the Fiji National University’s Fiji Maritime Academy.
“Some of these participants want to further their qualification but do not have the funds to so that is why the Government is offering these trainings so that participants can get the certificates they need to captain a boat,” he said.
At the end of the two weeks training, participants will receive two certificates.
Mr Loganimoce said there were no age or gender limitations to attend the training which is free of charge.