Eight boats which were being used for illegal operations along the Rewa River have been detained by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji in a joint operation with Police.
The detained boats which were loading and offloading passengers at Nasali Boat Landing did not carry safety appliances which is compulsory for all boats in the country, and did not have any survey certificates indicating they were sea worthy.
MSAF also issued infringement notices to boat operators that did not adhere to simple boat rules like the donning of life jackets.
Fiji Maritime Academy, Chief Executive Officer, Mahesa Abeynayake says the problem with Fiji is there are many small fiber glass boats and many of them lack safety equipment like life jackets.
He adds the Boat Master Licencing course that is offered at the Fiji Maritime Academy is especially for small boats owners and drivers who are taught what to do if they have passengers on board.
MSAF says boat operators need to know they must adhere to safety rules and these includes boat operators to have valid and relevant boat master license, valid survey certificate, safety appliances, number of passengers to be printed on the side of the boat, registration number of the boat, name of the boat and no overloading.
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