The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has identified several ongoing vulnerabilities in the operations of shipping vessels in Suva, particularly highlighting concerns with Goundar Shipping Limited. These issues were discussed during a meeting held at Walu Bay, Suva, where MSAF and other shipping companies gathered to address shipping-related challenges.
One significant concern raised by MSAF’s CEO, Joweli Cawaki, is the alleged abuse of office by some employees at Goundar Shipping Ltd. Reports indicated that these staff members have been discreetly selling tickets to family members and misappropriating the payments, leading to incidents of passenger overloading during boarding. Cawaki acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining trustworthy staff in financial matters.
He also noted that issues arise from passenger behavior. People often rearrange their travel plans, which complicates the scheduling and increases the number of passengers needing accommodation on a specific route. This has led to public criticism of MSAF when boats are seized for safety violations related to overloading; however, Cawaki emphasized that enforcing safety regulations is a crucial part of their mandate.
In light of these challenges, changes will be made to improve safety and efficiency. MSAF plans to have an additional ship on standby to cater to high passenger volumes. For example, if a vessel on the Suva to Gau, Koro, Savusavu, and Taveuni route exceeds capacity, passengers from Gau and Koro will need to be offloaded onto another boat for transport.
Cawaki assured that MSAF will continue to ensure that shipping companies adhere to regulations to promote safety during sea travel.
This proactive approach by MSAF reflects a commitment to improving maritime safety standards and ensuring that all passengers travel securely. As the authority seeks to tackle these recurring issues, it could pave the way for a more reliable and efficient maritime transport system in Fiji.
Leave a comment