The people of Lau are concerned with the arrival of ships and yachts to their islands at night.

The vessels are not berthed at the jetties, they say.

Their concern was raised at the Lau Provincial Council meeting at Studio 6 in Suva yesterday.

Provincial Administrator of Lau, Eliki Masa said that most of the yachts were coming in at night and it was a risk to them.

“We’ve asked the franchise officer from the Ministry of Transport to look into the issue with the ship operators,” said Mr Masa.

Mr Masa said every yacht visiting the island should have a clearance letter from the iTaukei Affairs detailing the conditions of the yacht sailing around the Lau Group and any island around Fiji.

“Any yacht wishing to visit the island should seek clearance from the Turaga-ni-Koro or the chief of the village,” he said.

“It’s important that such yacht owners know the rules that they need to abide with when visiting the islands.”

The Lau Provincial Council is in talks with the relevant stakeholders in setting up a port of entry in Vanuabalavu since yachts have to be cleared in Savusavu.

The issue of missing cargoes by ships was also raised and addressed during the conference.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

Feedback:  mere.satakala@fijisun.com.fj