AFTER 44 years of unbroken service to Fiji’s maritime industry, Sunil Kumar has officially “anchored” into retirement, leaving his post at the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) as the senior navigation safety officer.
Sunil Kumar’s journey began in 1982, long before the establishment of MSAF. He joined the Republic of Fiji Navy back when it was formerly known as the Royal Fijian Navy.
Serving as a hydrographic assistant onboard the survey ship HMFS Ruve, he discovered a fascination for the science of hydrography and nautical charting, a specialized field that would become his life’s work.
“I was initially drawn to the industry through the field of hydrography and the specialized profession of nautical charts,” he recalls.
Throughout his career, Kumar contributed significantly to the development and continuity of Fiji’s maritime navigation and safety services through various organisational transitions within the maritime sector.
In his role as senior navigation safety officer, he was involved in supporting and overseeing key navigation safety functions, including the maintenance and improvement of maritime aids to navigation and other initiatives aimed at improving safety at sea.
He also contributed to maritime safety coordination efforts through navigational information management, technical advisory support, and work related to nautical charting and maritime safety systems.
Among his many achievements, Kumar was instrumental in modernizing Fiji’s maritime infrastructure.
He often oversaw the construction and rehabilitation of lighthouses that had long been neglected and led the introduction of state-of-the-art solar LED marine lights and internationally compliant navigation buoys in Fiji’s ports of entry.
“LEDs have a longer life than traditional lights,” he said, noting the shift from old systems that required external power to the efficiency of self-contained solar technology.
His role often placed him at the heart of international cooperation. Kumar served as a trainer for the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), sharing his knowledge with member countries across the South West Pacific such as Wellington, Niue and New Caledonia.
One of his proudest milestones was achieving the Marine Aids to Navigation Manager Level 1 qualification from the IALA World-Wide Academy.
Kumar also played a critical role in the 2017 oil spill response for the vessel MV Southern Phoenix, deploying specialized equipment he had helped secure through a partnership with the New Zealand Government just a year earlier.
Kumar stressed the importance of using updated official sea charts and navigation information to help keep vessels and passengers safe at sea.
As he prepares to trade his charts for a well-deserved break, Kumar is looking forward to the simple joys of life beyond the office.
“I want to maintain my physical fitness and take a long break to visit relatives and friends living abroad,” he says. “I’m not quite sure what is in the bag thereafter.”
For the next generation of officers tasked with keeping Fiji’s waters safe, his parting advice is simple yet meaningful: “If you have chosen to serve, do it with passion, pride, and discipline.”
MSAF thanks Sunil Kumar for his incredible 44-year legacy and wishes him a happy and fulfilling retirement.
