A JOINT training initiative between the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) and Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) is expected to strengthen safety standards and promote greater compliance across Fiji’s maritime sector.
The two organisations recently conducted a two-day Boat Master Licence (BML) training program for staff from both agencies, equipping participants with updated technical knowledge on small craft safety, vessel capacity limits and operational boundaries within sheltered waters.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that officers responsible for regulating and overseeing maritime operations possess the same qualifications and practical understanding expected of those working on the water.
MSAF said the training was about leading by example and fostering a stronger culture of maritime safety throughout the industry.
“By ensuring that both regulatory officers and port authority staff hold the very certifications they enforce and oversee, MSAF and FPCL are walking the talk to foster a proactive culture of maritime compliance,” MSAF said.
It said effective maritime safety depended on collaboration between agencies responsible for regulating and managing Fiji’s ports and waterways.
“Safety at sea requires a united front, and partnering with FPCL for this training ensures that frontline officers and port operators lead by example,” MSAF said. “When staff understand and uphold these safety standards firsthand, it builds a safer, more compliant maritime environment for everyone in Fijian waters.”
The two-day program focused on practical and regulatory aspects of operating small craft, including safe vessel operation, capacity limits and navigation within sheltered waters.
By bringing together regulatory officers and port personnel in the same classroom, the program reinforced a consistent understanding of the standards expected across the maritime sector while encouraging closer cooperation between the two organisations.
At the conclusion of the training, certificates were presented to participants, recognising the successful completion of the Boat Master Licence program.
