By Mike Puia
THE Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) has welcomed the support offered by Belgium to boost the industry.
The government of Belgium has offered a programme that would help seafarers undergo training and gain experience overseas through attachment.
Representatives of the government of Belgium, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and our United Nations Ambassador in Geneva and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development signed the memorandum of understanding for this programme.
This paper has not sighted details of this program but according to SIMSA’s director Captain Tim Harris, it is a “complex programme”.
Mr Harris said the programme will enable seafarers to go on trainings and do attachments in Papua New Guinea, Australia and even the United Kingdom.
He said it was IMO that flagged the need for support to our maritime in 2016 and Belgium willingly stepped-in.
Harris said the understanding signed will help SIMSA improve safety and security in the industry.
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