NMSA commission first Search and Rescue boat - Papua New Guinea National Maritime Safety Authority

The Government is committed to providing the necessary support to the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) so that it will continue to fulfil its mandated duties and responsibilities.

These include search and rescue operations, matters concerning maritime safety and marine environment protection.

These were the remarks made by the Minister for Transport & Infrastructure, Hon Westly Nukundj, MP when officiating at the joint commissioning of NMSA’s first Search & Rescue (SAR) boat and the launch of safety at sea booklet on Thursday 30 August 2018 at the Royal Papua Yacht Club in Port Moresby.

PNG is a signatory to some very important International Maritime Conventions such as the Safety of Life at Sea, Maritime Pollution Prevention Conventions and United Nations Convention on the law of the sea. Accordingly, PNG has an obligation to give full and complete effect to the requirements of these Conventions in the spirit of international coorporation. NMSA performs these responsibilities on behalf of the government and people of PNG.

Minister Nukundj said therefore, it is pleasing to see that NMSA has taken the initiative in these tough economic times to build its first search and rescue boat and publishing the safety at sea manual to increase its capabilities and provide awareness to assist our people during their times of misfortune.

He said: “We must continue to work together with our development partners to ensure that such boats and capabilities are extended to other parts of the country as well.

As PNG prepares to host the APEC meeting, the Government is comforted to see its agencies build resources and capacity to respond to the needs of the meeting as well as for the country going forward.

Minister Nukundj said: “It is an honour to be here amongst the head of departments, other invited dignitaries and management and staff of NMSA to launch the first ever SAR boat and the safety at sea manual. This is indeed an historical moment not only for the NMSA but for the Government and people of PNG.”

The Minister acknowledged the Asian Development Bank who supported NMSA’s Maritime Waterways Safety Project to produce the safety at sea booklets.

NMSA GM/CEO, Paul Unas said the booklets will be dispatched to the maritime provinces as awareness materials to promote safety at sea.