Maritime authority told to focus on its core role

TRANSPORT and Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt has told the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) to focus on its core role.
“Don’t play politics when people are trying to meet the regulatory requirements and you’re putting unnecessary challenges before them,” said Schnaubelt.
He made these strongly-worded comments at the opening of NMSA’s new field office in Alotau yesterday.
He said this in front of NMSA board chairman Peter Humphreys, chief executive officer Paul Unas, other NMSA personnel, locals and invited guests including deputy governor Lelena Metoa and Alotau MP Ricky Morris.
He emphasised that the NMSA was there to serve the people.
He said their role as public servants was to facilitate transport industry participants and make sure no unnecessary challenges were faced by those participants.
“Step up, pull up our socks. We (NMSA) are here to make and enforce the regulatory requirements and conditions for seafarers and boat or vessel operators,” he said.
“But please leave your politics at the doorstep of your office.”
He said politics should not be brought into NMSA conditions and requirements processes.
He added that he would be making some announcements regarding NMSA’s management and board in the coming days.
Milne Bay’s deputy governor Lelena Metoa said NMSA’s new office was a much needed development as majority of people in Milne Bay were seafarers. Metoa said it was important that NMSA has a presence there for the safety and security of the people.
“The provincial government is keen to see national agencies such as NMSA strengthen their operation in the province to further support provincial development,” he said.
He said Milne Bay was fortunate to have opened several projects recently, including a boatshed on Samarai Island, and the jetty next door to the NMSA’s new office which was funded through the support of the NMSA, PNG Ports, the Climate Change Development Authority and other agencies. Alotau MP Ricky Morris welcomed NMSA’s new field office.
Morris said the people of Milne Bay were skilled seafarers and alluded to the hope for a maritime school to be built in Milne Bay to build their strengths in the area.
NMSA’s field offices were used also to coordinate search and rescue in the surrounding maritime area, as well as being oversight for safety and compliance for vessel operators.