The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) hosted training on ship design, valuation and survey.

MSAF chief executive officer (CEO), John Tunidau said the training was from July 25th to July 27th 2017 and was facilitated by technical experts from Japan.

The technical training he said was part of continuous capacity building program undertaken by MSAF to ensure international standards of safety and compliance were upheld in all MSAF technical activities and built on institutional strengthening for the organisation.

In his opening address he said – “The essence of these workshop is to assist Fiji and her neighbouring Flag states Administrators to improve the ability of their inspectors to efficiently implement applicable International and National Ship Safety, Ship Design, Ship Valuation and Ship Survey standards as part of their Flag State Implementation Responsibilities.’

He said jurisdiction over a ship in connection to its nationality required certain obligations and responsibilities that were to be fulfilled by the state which entitled the ship to carry its national Flag. Amongst others, he said the most prominent obligation for the state was to ensure that safety standards are applied and competent Inspectors or Surveyors carry out inspections with diligence and professionalism.

“In order to ensure that appropriate laws are effectively enforced on board ships on the high seas and in coastal waters of ones State, international and national laws provide for exercise of Flag State Implementation and Port State Control inspections.”

The training he said included lectures conducted by subject matter specialists from Japan, on ships survey, ships evaluation and ships design which will conclude with practical training and shipboard inspections.

Participants from Tuvalu and Kiribati were part of the training to help build regional capacity in ship design, valuation and survey.