Rural and Maritime Development Minister Mosese Bulitavu has issued a stern warning to boat operators across Fiji, stressing that boat master licensing is not optional but a legal requirement and that authorities will be watching for misuse of certifications. His comments came as 72 individuals received their boat master licences at a ceremony in Nakawaga Village on Mali Island, part of a wider push to lift safety standards in rural maritime communities.
Bulitavu told the newly licensed operators that nobody should take control of a vessel without completing the approved training programme and obtaining a valid licence. “It is essential that all operators obtain a valid licence through proper training before taking charge of any vessel,” he said, reiterating that a boat master licence is required by law for anyone operating a licensed vessel. He described the training as being specifically designed to ensure safety at sea and to improve understanding of maritime laws and responsibilities.
The minister also highlighted persistent problems: a number of people continue to operate boats without licences, and, in some cases, licensed operators have been using their credentials for reckless activities. “Some licence holders have used their certification irresponsibly to engage in racing activities,” Bulitavu said, warning that such behaviour is dangerous, places lives at risk and undermines the purpose of the licensing system and wider maritime safety standards.
Local outreach to remote and outer-island communities has been central to recent licensing drives. The issuance of 72 licences at Nakawaga Village signals continued efforts by government agencies to expand approved training and registration beyond urban centres. Bulitavu framed the programme as serving both public safety and legal compliance: trained boat masters are expected to know maritime rules, safe navigation practices and the responsibilities that accompany the authority to operate passenger and cargo vessels.
While the minister did not detail specific enforcement actions at the event, he made clear that breaches of maritime regulations would not be tolerated and that authorities would closely monitor compliance. The warning comes as the government and maritime agencies have been under pressure to strengthen safety frameworks for seaborne transport; last year officials publicly discussed measures such as a passenger compensation scheme and third‑party insurance to better protect victims of boating incidents.
Community leaders and training providers have previously emphasised that certification alone will not eliminate risks unless combined with ongoing education, vessel maintenance and active enforcement. Bulitavu’s remarks underscore that the licensing system is intended as one component of a broader safety regime — one that depends on operators using their qualifications responsibly.
The licensing event on Mali Island and the minister’s warning mark the latest development in efforts to professionalise small-boat operations and curb unsafe behaviour at sea. Authorities are now expected to follow up with monitoring and, where necessary, enforcement to ensure the licences being issued translate into safer practices for passengers and coastal communities.