THE Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has advised shipping companies not to overload passengers during these two weeks school holidays.
This follows concerns raised by a group of passengers travelling from Savusavu to Suva last Sunday who said the vessel was overloaded.
Administration assistant director Felix Maharaj said shipowners needed to adhere to rules and regulations set out for them to safeguard their passengers.
"We are now on the school break and most people will be travelling. Shipowners must not breach the rules and instead consider the required amount of passengers in their vessels," Mr Maharaj said.
"The safety of people is paramount when travelling at sea and owners must think twice about overloading passengers. Accidents are bound to happen and it is only appropriate to stress out the importance of lives of those that will be travelling in the vessels."
Mr Maharaj, however, said the administration was not aware of the incident last Sunday but he had assured they would look into the matter.
"Overloading is an illegal act and the administration will check with the shipping company to clarify on the matter," he said.