Fifty-three youths of the coast of Ra province were reminded of the need to adhere to safety rules and regulations while out at sea.

Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou, last Friday, gave youths from eight villages from the Nakorotubu coastal area their Boat Master Licence Class 6.

“Since you depend on the sea for survival, the Ministry has brought this training to you to ensure that you are equipped with the necessary skills,” Mr Tuitubou said while closing the week-long training at Nayavuira Village.

“This training provides you with the skills that will harness your survival intuition and more importantly keep you and members of the public who will be travelling with you in the open sea safe.”

“We believe by bringing such targeted training to youth in rural areas, we will help you harness your livelihood and ensure that you contribute to our national economy.

“You can confidently cart your goods to and from places close to the main market,” Mr Tuitubou said.

“You can also explore marketing your marine resources as your regular source of income since you are now a licenced boat masters.”

Ilivasi Batiyaka of Navolau Village said: “I have been waiting to attend this training and we are grateful to the Youth and Sports Ministry for facilitating and bringing this training to our doorstep.”

“With the skills we have acquired after this training, we can go out to open sea on fishing trips with confidence,” Mr Batiyaka.

“The Minister has also encouraged us that we can always pursue further training and higher accreditation with the Fiji National University and for Class 5 and above,” he said.

Nakorotubu district representative, Ilitomasi Vana said, the training ensures the young people that they are now legal operators.

“Most of these young people operate boats without a licence and we are glad that they can do so now with confidence,” Mr Vana said.

Source: Ministry of Youth and Sports

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