Sarferoz Ali is grateful to have undertaken the boat captains licence training as this will help him to provide for his family.

He was among the 100 young people in the Nadi area who graduated with their captain’s licence from Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) at Korovuto in Nadi yesterday. Mr Ali, 29, of Navo is currently looking after the family business and has completed two modules on Boat Masters and Restricted Master/ Engineer Class 6 – Nautical Knowledge.

The course was sponsored by the Fijian Government where the training, which was facilitated by the MSAF.

Another graduate Simione Labaraivalita said: “This was an opportunity for us to captain the boat and also gain more experience and teach other operators to save lives in the sea. Also backing the financial capabilities.”

Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) Manager Ships Inspection Officer in Charge, Sesoni Komaisoso said these graduates had been encouraged to further their knowledge of maritime and safety.

“So gone are the days when you say I live by the seaside. I can drive the boat these days so the important thing is safety,” he said.

According to Mr Komaisoso over 2500 people have been trained by MSAF.

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