By RACHNA LAL
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji has launched a new mariner certification system which is expected to make Fijian mariners much more marketable.
The Tardis Marine Certification system is an internationally-renowned record of seafarer’s qualifications to gain employment.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji says it is the only national body that is recognised worldwide to issue certificates to Fijian seafarers.
With this new system, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji is stating its acceptance of training done and the standard achieved by the seafarers.
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji now has a new certificate book along with a new computer system to issue certificates.
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji manager qualifications and licensing, Captain Pauliasi Vakaloloma said the certificate itself will enhance and improve the whole outlook of Fijian seafarers
“Over the years, we have been answering a lot of questions coming from foreign companies and maritime administrations because of the standard of the certificate that we had,” he said.
Mr Vakaloloma revealed remittance of foreign revenue from seafarers amounts to more than $15 million annually.
Easier process
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji chief executive, Neale Slack, said this would enable them to extract information, provide information and analayse information in relation to mariners.
This he said previously used to be somewhat difficult or had to be done with manual systems.
“So from our perspectives, it means increased efficiency, effectiveness and the way we provide these documents with more security,” he said.
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji chief executive, Neale Slack, shows the new Tardis Marine Certification book for seafarers. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI