THE travelling public needs to be more responsible and look after the ships they travel in well. This is the message from Goundar Shipping Ltd’s managing director George Goundar after their new vessel, the Lomaiviti Princess III, was vandalised.

The vessel has begun servicing the Natovi-Nabouwalu route. It can carry 700 passengers, 40 ten-wheeler trucks or 150 cars.

Mr Goundar said while they aspired to offer quality inter-island service to the travelling public, the travelling public had the biggest part to play.

“I need the travelling public in Lomaiviti Princess III not to vandalise the vessel,” Mr Goundar said.

“People are already writing on walls and chairs and bathrooms are not made for urinal use.”

He said that people need to understand that each room on the vessel had its own specific function. This included the bathrooms being used for showers only and toilet facilities for urinal use only.

“It’s a lot of hard work for us to educate the travelling public. I am working hard to get better vessels but it’s the members of the travelling public who have to do their part so I can maintain that standard.”

Mr Goundar said the shipping industry in Fiji had greatly improved in the past four years. As much as vessel owners brought in new ships, the onus was on passengers to use the vessels with care.

“The travelling public should realise that they have to play their part, they have to keep the vessel clean. I don’t like garbage being thrown overboard, we have to look after our environment.

“It’s a lot of work, but we will be putting videos on board on our safety equipment and procedures and some housekeeping rules they need to maintain while on board.”