The recent admission by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) that it lacks formal standards for maritime safety raises significant concerns regarding the safety of vessels navigating Fiji’s waters. MSAF’s CEO, Joweli Cawaki, acknowledged the organization’s ongoing efforts to develop safety protocols and expressed a commitment to establishing MSAF offices at all local jetties to enhance oversight. However, this revelation prompts critical questions about the delayed recognition and action surrounding maritime safety protocols.
Cawaki noted that MSAF has not yet established specific standards for maritime safety in Fiji, stating, “We are trying hard to get there.” He emphasized the intention to audit all vessels, whether public or private, including smaller boats, as part of their safety initiatives. While plans are underway to expand MSAF’s presence to every local jetty, Cawaki cautioned that the agency is currently not where it needs to be, sparking further inquiries about previous inaction.
Cawaki underscored MSAF’s mandate to ensure the safety of maritime transportation and environmental protection. He articulated the essential need for passengers to feel secure in their journeys, stating that maritime safety encompasses ensuring vessels depart and arrive safely. He pointed out that lack of stringent surveys could lead to a loss of confidence among cargo owners and passengers alike.
The situation is particularly concerning given the frequency of inter-island travel within the country, with many people relying on maritime transport to connect various islands, including Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The absence of a clearly defined safety standard not only jeopardizes the safety of passengers but also exposes cargo to unnecessary risks. There is a pressing need for robust policies and enforcement mechanisms to facilitate MSAF’s expansion and ensure that safety standards are not just proposed but effectively implemented and maintained.
The concerns raised by this situation highlight the urgent necessity for defined maritime safety standards in Fiji, especially considering the significant volume of daily travel via vessels. While efforts are underway to establish these standards, the lack of existing protocols raises alarm about the current safety landscape in maritime transportation. Until comprehensive standards are developed and consistently enforced, the ongoing reliance on potentially unsafe travel options remains an unacceptable risk for both passengers and cargo in Fiji.
Source link
