The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has identified several recurring issues in the operations of shipping vessels in Suva, particularly regarding Goundar Shipping Limited. These concerns were discussed during a meeting held in Walu Bay, Suva, between MSAF and various shipping companies.
One significant problem highlighted by MSAF’s CEO, Joweli Cawaki, is the abuse of office by some Goundar Shipping staff, who have been reportedly selling tickets to relatives and pocketing the money. This misconduct has contributed to incidents of passenger overloading during boarding. Mr. Cawaki emphasized that maintaining trustworthiness among employees handling finances has proven challenging.
Additionally, he noted that some of the challenges arose from passenger behavior, with people often rescheduling their trips and extending the waiting list for departures. While members of the public sometimes blame MSAF for enforcing safety regulations, Mr. Cawaki pointed out that it is crucial for them to ensure that vessels do not exceed safe capacity limits.
To improve safety and manage capacity more effectively, MSAF has proposed changes to the scheduling process. This includes having an additional boat on standby to accommodate excess passengers. For example, if a vessel servicing the route from Suva to Gau, Koro, Savusavu, and Taveuni becomes overloaded, passengers headed for Gau and Koro may need to be off-loaded for transport on another boat.
With these steps, MSAF is committed to ensuring that shipping companies meet safety regulations and improve the overall travel experience for passengers in Fiji.
In summary, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji is taking proactive measures to address operational issues within the shipping industry, ensuring passenger safety and compliance with regulations while fostering a safer travel experience for all.
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