Boat owners in Madang Province are being urged to register their vessels as the Madang Provincial Small Craft Board continues its registration exercise for small boats.
The Madang Small Craft Board and Registry Office was officially launched on December 5, 2025, and the registration process began on March 2 this year.
Madang Provincial Small Craft Registrar Pascal Yali said the registration team has been operating for the past two weeks from Madang Town Clinic and the Kranget boat stop to serve boat owners from both Madang District and Rai Coast District.
Captain Yali explained that the small craft registration applies to outboard motor boats that are less than 10 meters in length.
He said awareness about safety requirements, rules, and laws relating to small craft operations had already been conducted during the official launch last year.
The launch was officiated by Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa, who encouraged boat owners across the province to comply with the new system.
Captain Yali said the registration process requires boat owners to fill out application forms before their vessels are inspected to ensure they are in good condition.
“The registration process involves giving application forms to boat owners to fill in the necessary information. We then inspect the boat to make sure it is in proper condition before issuing registration,” he said.
So far, more than 20 boats have already been registered.
Captain Yali is now urging all boat owners to come forward and register their boats before enforcement begins.
“We are working closely with the Madang Water Police, and once registration for these two districts is completed, the small craft law will come into force and police will begin enforcement,” he said.
Boats that successfully complete the registration process are issued stickers indicating their district.
Boats from Madang District will have the prefix MD, while boats from Rai Coast District will have RD, followed by their registration number.
Captain Yali said that after completing registrations for Madang and Rai Coast districts, the registration team will move on to Sumkar District, Bogia District, and Middle Ramu District to continue the exercise.
