Fiji Has 7263 Seafarers With Certifcate Of Competency

Fiji Has 7263 Seafarers With Certifcate Of Competency
FONUA TALEI SUVA September 28 http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/09/28/fiji-has-7263-seafarers-with-certifcate...

There are a total of 7263 Certificate of Competency holders in Fiji, says Mari­time and Safety Authority of Fiji acting chief executive officer Captain Philip Hill.

He said seafarers performed tough and challenging jobs that were physically and mentally de­manding.

And while they were exposed to high risks and carried personal loss, they contributed to the economy both domestically and through remittances.

Captain Hill said that according to Reserve Bank of Fiji figures the maritime sector contributed approximately $25 million to the national economy.

“Government continues to sup­port the upskilling of seafarers,” he said.

“This is with the vision of hav­ing a Maritime Academy that produces seafarers up to Class Three Master and engineer level that are recognised internation­ally by the major shipping na­tions.”

“To date the Fiji Maritime Acad­emy has a student roll of 221 studying Diploma in Nautical Science, Marine Engineering and other Certificates of Competen­cies.”

He said the maritime academy had state of the art simulators for captains and engineers and it was the academy’s long-term plan to gain international recog­nition to conduct Class One and Two Master and Engineer.