Seafaring 'Scarce' Skill in Maritime
“As of now, we have termed seafaring as scarce skill because we don’t have the numbers at the moment to be able to service our maritime sector,” Mr Cawaki said.
Wednesday 10 January 2024 | 01:17
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji chief executive officer Joweli Cawaki. Photo: Laiseana Nasiga
Seafaring has been regarded as ‘scarce skills’ in Fiji’s maritime sector.
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji chief executive officer Joweli Cawaki said the lack of graduates from the Fiji Maritime Authority has also been a contributing factor.
“As of now, we have termed seafaring as scarce skill because we don’t have the numbers at the moment to be able to service our maritime sector,” Mr Cawaki said.
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He said with the lack of qualified seafarers in Fiji to man local vessels, local shipping companies had been issued dispensations from MSAF to operate its vessels.
A formal dispensation is only issued by the register of vessels which is MSAF.
Dispensations are issued on a case by case that would permit a seafarer to serve on a specific ship for a specified period at a higher level than their current seafaring qualification.
Mr Cawaki said since being appointed as CEO, there has been a number of shipping companies issued dispensations.
“We have been giving dispensation to these local boats because we do not have the right people for the posts whether it be engineers, or deck hand.
“We have been giving dispensation so the vessels can operate.
“For every trip when there is no second engineer for example, then the third engineer has to come up but it has to be approved by MSAF which is when we issue a dispensation.”
He said MSAF will work with FMA to introduce new programmes this year to accommodate the skills gap in the industry.
Story by: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun.com.fj
