Two cousins from Nasilai Village in Rewa were among the 65 men who graduated with their Boat Master Licence at the Stanley Brown Naval Base in Walu Bay, Suva on Friday.
Warrant Officer Class One Filipe Naiveli and Able Seaman Samuela Naiveli completed the one-week program which started on Monday, February 2, and covered boat master licences and restricted master.
Able Seaman Samuela, who joined the Republic of Fiji Navy seven years ago, said he enjoyed the work and was proud to receive the nationally accredited certificate.
“We are privileged to get this certificate because this is a boat master,” he said.
He said the qualification would allow them to operate vessels less than 15 metres in length.
“For the first three months we will be allowed to take a boat less than 15 metres (long),” he said.
After three months, he said, they would be allowed to take boats out up to 15 nautical miles from shore under the restricted master qualification.
“After three months then we will be able to take the boat out for 15 nautical miles out from shore.”
Able Seaman Samuela said the training was important as it prepared them for duties outside Fiji’s waters.
“It’s very helpful because we didn’t have a boat master before, we are the second lot to graduate and receive this licence.”
He said the course was not difficult as most of the lessons were part of their daily work.
“It was just like trying to refresh our basic knowledge.”
The cousins are expected to assist in patrol operations at naval bases in the North, West, and Central divisions.
