The Minister for Defense and National Security, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola explained to Parliament today that the 3DP Coastal Radio Station provides an essential service on Maritime Safety for all seafarers in and around Fiji waters.

He says it was an international obligation that Fiji adhered to with the station operated and run by the Fiji Navy.

The staff at the Coastal Radio Station, the Minister noted are professionally trained with support from the governments of India, China, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Kubuabola was responding to an oral question from Government MP Mataiasi Niumataiwalu on the functions of the coastal radio station.

“The Suva Radio 3DP will broadcast essentially is Maritime Safety Information every six hours. The Coastal Radio Station also monitors radio distress frequencies and coordinates radio traffic and relays ship to ship and ship to land radio traffic. Additionally Meteorological information is also broadcasted to ships along with navigational safety information. Ships send positional updates to Suva radio allowing the centre to monitor vessel movements within Fiji waters. ”

The Minister also highlighted that earlier this year the Fiji Navy looked into the relocation of the radio station to a site in Lami which has a more elevated area and also room for expansion and development.

The 3DP Coastal Radio station primarily broadcasts any and all hazards and dangers posed to seafarers in and around Fiji waters to assist with their navigation.