There is a boom in seafarers and licensed boat operators around the country and the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji says it has a record of about sixteen thousand of them now.
MSAF has been conducting their own training since 2005 and so far have recorded an increase.
MSAF CEO John Tunidau says close to 16,000 seafarers around the country have registered and own a license.
“This year in January we have compact on the classics restricted training to ensure that boat masters license allows operators to operate within the infringing reefs but if you need to cross over from one island to another between 15 nautical mile space then you need to use the classic restricted so MSAF has already embarked on turning off small boat operators in this aspect also.”
MSAF says they have been conducting their own training as most rural and maritime boat operators cannot afford to do training at the maritime approved institution in Suva.
Tunidau adds registration of seafarers have also boomed.
While MSAF is a regulator, Tunidau says they will continue to provide training for boat operators as there is more need from rural and maritime boat operators.
