I AM pleased to read the full-page advertisement by National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA). I plead with all small craft operators to take heed of these safety instructions.
As I wrote in an earlier piece, Government agencies such as the NMSA deserve the full support of all stakeholders to promote the issue of safety at sea.
I also argue that the owners and operators of small crafts like dinghies, boat and canoes are not free from the responsibility to their passengers.
We must ensure the lives and property of the travelling public in maritime provinces in PNG are not endangered or safety instructions defied at will or convenience.
Those that defy the law will shake hands with the law in due course.
I also renew support for legislation allowing the NMSA or the appropriate authority to be empowered to collect licensing fees and third party insurance premiums from small craft owners.
The idea is to park these monies in a trust account and to tap into this account to pay for search and rescue costs as well as life insurance claims. I leave this idea to the wisdom of the appropriate agency.
I also renew calls for the immediate adoption of a standard but affordable emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) for use by all small craft owners.
The law should also make it compulsory for all small craft dealers/wholesalers to sell a small craft complete with an EPIRB.
Some small craft owners may oppose the idea owing to cost considerations. Perhaps a pool of funds can also be created to subsidise EPIRB costs or provide free EPIRBs for certain small craft owners (owners of canoes especially).
Money from the licensing fees and third party insurance premiums suggested should be used to fund this.
The National Disaster Centre congratulates NMSA and encourages provincial disaster centres in maritime provinces to strengthen your respective relationships with NMSA for the betterment of your provincial awareness programmes and search and rescue operations.
Keep up the good work.

Martin Mose
Acting Director
National Disaster Centre