All Fiji registered vessels have been directed to follow and comply with the new legislation that enforces safety briefing for passengers.
The call comes as the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji works towards ensuring passenger safety on board all vessels.
MSAF CEO John Tunidau says the use of life saving appliances such as the donning of life jackets, the location of exits and life rafts must be conducted by crew members to instruct their passengers before departure.
“It’s for their own safety, safety is everyone’s responsibility, it’s not the responsibility of the government or MSAF alone its everyone’s responsibility. People must make sure that they have this safety culture. You must ensure that when you come on board a ship you are boarding safely and you have got every right to question also the officers if there’s any safety briefing for you as passengers boarding.”
Vessel operators welcome the move by MSAF however is also calling on the authorities to sit with the stakeholders to discuss its strict implementations.
Enforcement officers are strictly monitoring this and any vessel that does not comply will be penalized.
Non-compliance with the law could result in detention of the ship, prosecution, suspension or even cancellation of the Masters Certificate of Competency, and also prosecution of the owner or operator of the ship.
