RESIDENTS of Kadavu and Rotuma were part of a week-long boat master training last December as part of Maritime Safety Authority’s (MSAF’s) initiative to ensure seafarers were compliant with maritime legislations.
MSAF chief executive officer John Tunidau said the training ensured people living in the outer islands also had access to essential maritime training and were well informed of applicable rules when travelling out to sea.
He said MSAF had been training boat masters for the past 12 years as part of its social obligation to the rural communities and to enable boat owners/operators, especially in our rural and remote communities, comply with the requirements of maritime legislation.
The boat masters were trained on the use of LSAs (life saving appliances), survival training, boat and engine maintenance, legislative requirements and other essential skills required when out at sea.
According to a statement from MSAF, about 17,000 boat owners/operators had already been trained which resulted in participants securing employment with resorts after receiving the boat masters and class 6 master/engineer restricted licence training.
Another boat master training is being done at Navitilevu in Ra and Yanuca, Serua.
