Pioneering students undergoing their offshore fishing skipper training programme at the Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) will complete their required sea time on a merchant passenger vessel.

This instead of fishing vessels as they remain unoperational during this pandemic.

FMA principal lecturer, nautical science. Captain Tevita Robanakadavu, said as the lockdown continues to disrupt services of fishing vessels, the academy is offering a short course to allow aspiring fishing vessels captains to complete training in a passenger vessel.

He said the 18 students had undergone 12 months of sea time training last year on fishing vessels as part of stage two of their training but were still required to complete 12 more months.

“So instead of staying home while we await for borders to open and fishing vessels to resume operations, we have discussed with MSAF to have them on merchant vessels like Lomaiviti Princess and others,” he said.

The students include 11 females and seven males, who were being trained, to become Captains of offshore fishing vessels.

Captain Robanakadavu said the students were part of the 46 students selected last year in a programme sponsored by the New Zealand Government under the World Wildlife Fund programme.

He was grateful to the New Zealand Government for the opportunity provided for the students.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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