The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) will be collaborating with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs for the engagement and appointment of Turaganikoros (Village Headmen) and Matanitikinas (Village Representatives) as MSAF Enforcement and Compliance Officers (ECOs).
This was highlighted by the Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services & Transport, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau, during his parliamentary response on operational procedures to monitor and regulate the movement of small boats traveling between islands in Parliament this week.
“Over the years, there has been no monitoring and regulation of small boats traveling between coastal communities or islands.”
“The responsibility for the monitoring and safety of small boats lies with the boat owners and boat masters.”
According to Hon. Tuisawau, the legal teams from MSAF and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs are working on the MOU, which should be finalized and ready by December 2024.
Enforcement and Compliance Officers are tasked with the following: checking the registration of all small boats in the villages and tikinas, ensuring that all boats are surveyed, verifying that they have the required safety equipment, confirming that the master/driver of each boat holds a valid Certificate of Competency (BML & RME Class 6), advising boat owners and boat masters on weather conditions, ensuring the correct number of passengers and appropriate boat loading capacity, and ensuring a reporting or communication system is in place for emergencies or incidents at sea.
They are also required to submit the marine component of their monthly report to the Provincial Office and copy it to MSAF.