Joint operation to address sea piracy

A JOINT operation by Milne Bay police and the provincial transport authority has been initiated to address sea piracy in the province.
Provincial police commander Supt Peter Barkie told The National that under the operation, officers had been deployed to carry out water policing duties along the coastal areas of the mainland and islands following reports of increased piracy in the area.
He said this was part of the exercise targeting small crafts due to the up-surge in criminal activities.
Supt Barkie said since they stood down police operations two weeks ago, law and order problems had increased, especially at sea.
“Police have been deployed into strategic locations to provide police presence and people are happy,” he said.
“The operation is taking place at strategic locations in Milne Bay and at random check-points.
“We target port of entries where the people come in with their dinghies to ensure they are complying (with laws).”
Supt Barkie said the provincial law and order committee in a bid to get rid of sea piracy, under the Small Crafts Act, had been serving traffic infringement notices to dingy owners who failed to comply.
“We are using the Small Crafts Act to ensure that dinghy operators are licensed and have proper safety gear on board,” he said.
“Those who fail to comply will be given an infringement notice and will have to pay a fine.”
Supt Barkie said in the course of their duties, police had confiscated a lot of equipment among dinghy operators.
“We have confiscated equipment from the dinghy operators and the aim is to get them to pay the fee.”