Fiji: Boats Registeration a Must
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Monday, October 5, 2015
Under new maritime laws all vessels and boats using Fiji waters have to abide by the rules and regulations under the Marine Transport Decree, reports FBC
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) will issue with an infringement notice to any vessel or boat that is not registered with it.
About 95-per cent of incidents at sea involve boats that are not registered, says MSAF Acting CEO John Tunidau
John says: “In the legislations there is a time frame there for local ship owners and operators to comply for holding tanks ,for oily water separators and also for certain tonnage and for waste reception facility to be put in place"
"There are certain time that is being given but we are encouraging ship owners and operators to put in place before that three year period or whatever period is given to them because they need to comply with the legislation." he added.
Johnu says new laws also cover international vessels entering Fiji waters. MSAF will issue survey a certificate once the vessels and boats are registered.