JOE GAWA, a small boat owner who operates out of Mindre village near Basamuk in Ward 28 of Saidor LLG in Rai Coast District has remarkably set the pace and even made history in Madang Province as the first to register his dingy after conforming to all safety requirements set by the Provincial Small Craft Board and Registry.
Gawa admits he was inspired and motivated to register his 23-foot banana after the Provincial Small Craft Registration Board and Registry was established last year following a Provincial Executive Council (PEC) decision which was spearheaded by the Governor for Madang province, Ramsey Pariwa.
In a thrilling public display, Gawa stood proudly holding a bold printed registration number of his small craft to have his photograph taken.
Gawa was later accompanied by members of the Madang Water Police, officers from the Madang Small Craft Registry and an officer with the National Maritime Safety Authority to his boat where random inspection on the safety equipment on board were carried out purposely for public safety awareness.
“I am so inspired and motivated to register my dingy because a leader I greatly admire, namely Governor Ramsey Pariwa, has pushed to formalize the establishment of the Madang Provincial Small Craft Registry Board and registry which for many years was not there and safety at sea was not guaranteed for seafarers in Rai Coast and other maritime areas in Madang Province,” Gawa said.
The Small Craft Act applies to all sea-going vessels less than 10 meters in length including banana boats and motorized canoes.
“The sea has literally become the highway for most of the Rai Coast people who travel to access basic government services and do business,” Gawa said.
“I am happy to register my boat because whenever it faces a mishap when travelling on the sea I can easily call NMSA for help,” he added.
He even related the sad part of sea travel across the vast Astrolabe Bay in Rai Coast over the years where countless lives have been lost due to their own negligence to safety, boat mishap and sea piracy.
Interestingly, for Gawa safety cautiousness seems to flow well in his veins after having worked with emergency and rescue team (ERT) with Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited at is Basamuk processing plant in Rai Coast.
He later left to join a local security firm Raibus Security Services and spent several years before he resigned to focus on his small transport business to serve his people.
“During my time spent with the ERT at Ramu NiCo I understand a fair deal on the importance of safety,” Gawa said.
Registrar of the Madang Provincial Small Craft Registry, Pascal Yali, congratulated Gawa for being the first small boat owner in Madang Province to register his banana boat after paying the required fees and also for having safety gears on his vessel.
He explained that Madang Province began registering small crafts firstly from Rai Coast District two weeks ago, after over fifteen years of delay due to negligence of the past provincial leaders of the province.
“It was only when the current Governor Hon. Pariwa who through a PEC decision appointed a board last year, which immediately gave effect to the establishment of the Provincial Small Craft Board and Registry, who then wasted no time in conducting awareness programs stressing the need for the small boat owners to register their vessels,” Mr. Yali explained.
He further elaborated that for any dingy to be registered, firstly a registration form needs to be filled to check whether the boat is seaworthy and has on boat safety equipment.
Mr. Yali also emphasized that primary documents required for registering the small craft, firstly, is a valid ID which may include a NID card, driver’s license, passport or crew permit. Moreover, valid ownership documents would include boat payment receipt and detail of purchase.
Mr. Yali further explained that if the boat is purchased from a third party, the new owner must provide the transfer of ownership letter signed between buyer and seller, with a Ward Member’s support letter and Statutory Declaration Form attached.
Additionally, secondary documents required are any ID must provide full ownership transfer letter signed by buyer and seller with Declaration form and confirmation letter from a Ward Member or LLG President with common seal or stamp.
“We are working in collaboration with the National Maritime Safety Authority to conduct safety inspection on the small banana boats or dinghies” Yali explained.
Under the law operating an unlicensed or unregistered commercial craft is an offence, carrying penalties of up to K10,000 in fines, a prison term of up to one year or both.
An NMSA officer is urging all local boat operators in Madang Province to step forward and register their small crafts to ensure that a high-level maritime safety is enforced on the people who rely on the sea for their transportation, livelihood and sustenance especially during the unpredictable weather period.
According to Mr. Yali, pre-registration requirements include having all the basic life-saving equipment such as life-jackets, torch, whistle to call for help, spare containers, bailers, paddles and mirrors.
Madang Small Craft Registry with the assistance of Madang Water Police and the NMSA began registering small crafts a couple of weeks ago.
Mr. Yali further emphasized that the Madang Provincial Small Craft Board had approved the registration fee of K620 for one year only. The owner must pay the registration fee to Madang Provincial Grant Account. The fee covers skipper license and crew permit as well.
“All funds which are paid by boat owners in Madang Province as registration fees go to support the internal revenue of the Madang Provincial Government,” Mr. Yali declared.
