Group Completes Boat Master, Engineering Course

More than a hundred unem­ployed youths and adults in the North can now make a sound decision before trav­elling out to sea.

The group yesterday completed their boat master training and re­stricted master/engineer Class Six course.

Ministry of Youth and Sports di­visional manager northern Walter Matalau said the three-week train­ing had participants from Namuka District, Udu District, Tawake Dis­trict and Saqani District. The train­ing was held at Wainika Village in Cakaudrove Province.

“After the training the partici­pants acquired licences and have been informed about the coastal ar­eas in terms of safety navigation,” Mr Matalau said.

“They are now in a position of making a sound decision before travelling to sea and as well as what to do when facing emergency situa­tions while out at sea.

“The purpose of the training is to equip participants with skills and knowledge on maritime modules required for the safe operation of smaller vessels around coastal wa­ters.

“Some of the participants have their own boats and have been catching fish from nearby coastal areas for family consumption.”

Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau looking at the ice plant when he visited the Fisheries Station at Wainikoro, in the Macuata Province on May 6,2019. Photo: Ministry of Fisheries

Through this training the partici­pants can now catch and sell fish as their source of income.

Not only has this training equipped them with the right knowledge, skills and licence, it also provided them with the right pathway to improving their liveli­hood.

“This year so far we conducted three similar training for unem­ployed youths and adults in Vanua Levu,” Mr Matalau said.

“The training was organised and funded by their ministry and con­ducted by the Maritime Safety Au­thority of Fiji (MSAF).

Eighty-six people received their boat master licences while 48 peo­ple were presented their Class Six licences.

Edited by Naisa Koroi