Seventy participants who will officially become boat masters at the end of this week are currently undergoing a two-weeks training facilitated by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) in collaboration with the Naboro Kiribati Community.
Speaking to the Fiji Times Online, Community Vice President, Nawaia Matia said a few of their community members used to go fishing and their boats were seized because they did not have any license.
“Because some of our community members do rely on fishing for their livelihood, we had to step up to organise this training so that we can prevent this from happening again in future,” Mr Matia said.
He said the fines are quite heavy and their community is a fishing based community that survives on fishing and it’s just fair that as leaders of the business community that a training like this is being organised for them.
Mr Matia said the first course is the boat master license which allows participants to captain or take out their boats from the shore to the reef.
He said the second one is the restricted master engineer class 6 and allows taking the outboard motor from the reef to 15 nautical miles.
He said the second license is for specified areas only.
“We have participants all the way from Lomanikoro in Rewa and Culanuku villagers in Serua,” Mr Matia said.
“The Naboro Kiribati Community registered 35 of its members for the training and then MSAF brought in the other 35 from the communities which range from those areas (Rewa & Serua),” he said.
“Once they get the certificates or the license it qualifies the participants to take the outboard motors within those two different areas.”
Mr Matia thanked Government for giving them this opportunity as one course on its own is over $600.
“In other words we have accessed the $1200-plus costs free of charge with Government partnering with Naboro Kiribati Community and MSAF,” he said.
“This is something that we are grateful for that the Government is able to assist the community members.
“We thank Government for assisting us in this initiative and we are so grateful for it.
“Now we have attended the two weeks training with no costs at all – the fee that we require our participants is to pay $20 a week for the venue fee at Ro Delainamako Primary School.”
Mr Matia also applauded the trainers for the training which began last week Monday, Captain Noa Gade and Captain Vili Loganimoce.
