Vandalising navigational equipment a serious crime

National

Vandalising navigational aids is a serious crime that is punishable by a maximum of seven years imprisonment, according to PNG law.
Maritime Safety Authority standards and compliance manager Joseph Pyawan said  police raided the Bunu village along the North Coast Road in Madang on Wednesday night and captured the main suspect allegedly involved in stealing batteries and solar panels for powering and providing guide to travelling vessels at the  Cape Croisilles lighthouse.
The suspect and a few others had allegedly been stealing batteries and solar panels regularly.
“The last time the battery and solar panel was stolen was in May 2016, but we just caught the main suspect yesterday,” Pyawan said.
He said NMSA was concerned about the disrespect shown to people of the light houses along the coastlines.
“This is a serious offence under section 448 of the criminal act for interfering with navigational aids,” he said.
Officer in-charge of the Madang field office Carl Kamang said lighthouses provide a safe guide for ships through passages and the ships pay tax to our government.
Guidance along the PNG coast is one of the key aspects of shipping  in the country due to freak weather  and coastal obstacles.
“There are proper channels for people to air their grievances apart from covering light from the light houses or stealing equipment,” Kamang said.