THE farthest participant at the Boat Master Licensing training in Nakawaga, Mali, Vanua Levu, was Riaz Hussain of Caubati, Nasinu, who travelled from Viti Levu to join 71 who received their licences recently.
Mr Hussain said his journey reflected years of determination to secure proper certification after repeatedly applying for the training.
“For years I had been registering but I was not fortunate to be selected for the training,” he said.
“I spend most of the time at sea. I work now as an information technology consultant for my own private company.
“For me to go out to sea, we need proper licence. This is the reason I travelled all the way from Suva.”
He said he stayed in Tabia during the week-long training.
“I would leave Tabia around 7am. I have my own car. I travelled from Tabia to Malau and then by boat.”
The villagers, he said, were welcoming.
The training was part of ongoing efforts to improve maritime safety and ensure all boat operators were properly certified under national regulations.
