Fifty officers from the Republic of Fiji Navy’s Small Boat Squadron successfully completed the national Boat Master License (BML) training yesterday at RFNS Stanley Brown, bolstering Fiji’s maritime safety and operational readiness.
The week-long training program, delivered in partnership with the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), was fully funded by the United Kingdom Government through the British High Commission in Fiji and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The training is part of wider efforts to strengthen professional standards, enhance maritime governance, and ensure the safe operation of vessels across Fiji’s security sector.
Speaking at the graduation, Counsellor, British High Commission, Josh Kemp said, “Getting your qualification is a show of the importance of skills and the importance of expertise in Fiji’s Navy.”
The newly licensed officers are expected to play a key role in operating the Navy’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), recently acquired from the United States and Japan.
“The small boat squadron in particular is one of the key capabilities that Fiji has to be able to go after some of these people who have caused Fiji harm, to try and tackle some of the illegal narcotics smuggling, the illegal fishing that you see in Fiji’s inshore or near shore waters, said Mr Kemp.
These advanced vessels will support a range of missions, including search and rescue, maritime surveillance, humanitarian response, and community assistance.
The BML program strengthens the Navy’s capacity to respond effectively to maritime challenges, reinforcing Fiji’s commitment to regional maritime and safety.
With the completion of this training, the Republic of Fiji Navy moves a step closer to achieving enhanced maritime governance and professional excellence.
