Vandalism of maritime aid putting ships at risk

THE National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) is concerned about the constant vandalism of vital maritime infrastructure in island and coastal provinces.
Damaged lighthouses, indicators and beacons are making it difficult and dangerous for vessels entering and leaving ports and negotiating reefs and islands around the country, the authority said.
Lighthouses and beacons are placed in strategic locations along the coastline for safe navigation for traversing vessels, it said.
NMSA chief executive Paul Unas said the assets and equipment were owned by the State and tampering and obstructing these maritime aid for navigation or similar infrastructure was punishable by law under the Protection of the Transport Infrastructure Act 2010, the Criminal Code Act 1974 & the Merchant Shipping Act 1975. Unas said there was a marked increase in vandalism of the infrastructure in Northern in the recent months.
Unas said vandalism of such aids was a serious offence and could cause ships to run ground and death. “These infrastructures serve not only large merchant vessels but also local fishermen who can depend on the flashes from the lighthouses to navigate their way to safety during bad weather and when visibility is poor,” he said.
Suspects in the damaged lighthouse and beacons case in Northern were apprehended by police with the help and support of members of the communities. Their case is in court.
NMSA hopes that the matter will be successfully prosecuted so that it will serve as a deterrent to people who vandalise such aids.