The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji will closely monitor passenger boats this festive season to prevent overloading.

MSAF acting chief executive, John Tunidau, says non-compliance of the law can result in prosecution, suspension or cancellation of the Masters Certificate of Competency and detention of the ship.

Tunidau says enforcement officers will be monitoring all boats to avoid unnecessary danger.

“We have crowd management control, these are done by our enforcement officers in the various ports or prescribed wharfs such as Levuka, Natovi, Taveuni, Nabouwalu and Savusavu and so on to make sure that people do not rush when they load, to make sure they are counted, that the passengers travelling in the ship is complying with all regulations."

Passengers have also been advised to take all precautions during their travels.