GOVERNMENT is exploring a compensation scheme that will cover passengers that get injured or killed in boating incidents in Fiji.
This was stated by the Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Minister, Agni Deo Singh in Parliament last week.
Mr Singh said under the existing Accident Compensation Act 2017, only workers injured in boating accidents are currently covered by the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF) while passengers and their dependents affected by injury or death at sea currently rely on civil litigation for compensation.
He said the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) was working on a third-party insurance scheme to provide coverage for loss of life at sea, injuries to passengers or crew, and damage to third-party property.
Mr Singh said the initiative was still in its early stages.
He said MSAF was currently reviewing international best-practice models and would conduct nationwide public consultations to seek input on the proposed framework, funding model, implementation timelines, and compliance mechanisms.
“Stakeholders, including vessel owners, operators, industry representatives, and coastal communities, will be invited to share their views through written submissions and in-person forums,” he said.
He added that two related Bills, the Accident Compensation (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Work Care Bill 2025 were before the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs for review.
The amendments aim to ensure that the ACCF continues to focus on motor vehicle accident cases while new options are considered for maritime and other non-vehicular incidents.
