Fiji Strengthens Maritime Safety Through Community Boat Master Training

Fiji is strengthening maritime safety by taking practical boat master training directly to communities as part of efforts to make life at sea safer.

The initiative is being highlighted on World Maritime Day, under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”

The community Boat Master Licence training is delivered by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) in partnership with the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Navy.

The programme is supported by the United Kingdom in Fiji through UNDP’s Maritime Safety and Security Project.

Fiji’s Ministry of Policing Permanent Secretary Berenado Daveta said the ocean plays a central role in the lives and livelihoods of Fijians but also presents significant risks.

By bringing training directly to maritime communities, the programme aims to equip boat operators with the knowledge and confidence needed to make safer decisions at sea.

Daveta said maritime security should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of authorities, but as a shared responsibility involving communities and government agencies.

The initiative reflects Fiji’s efforts to turn maritime safety policies into practical action while strengthening the capacity of communities that depend on the ocean every day.