Small craft survival training ends in Gizo

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

SIMSA Senior Maritime Officer in Gizo Mr Wheatley Douglas with participants with their certificates after the training in Gizo Hotel on Thursday

A one-day safety at sea training for small crafts has ended successfully in Gizo, Western province.

The training was facilitated by SIMSA Senior Maritime Officer in Gizo Mr Wheatley Douglas and coordinated by Gizo Hotel Manager Mr Greg Vunba.

About seven participants attended the training and received their certificates at the Gizo Hotel yesterday.

Mr Douglas said the training is funded by the owner and Manager of the Gizo Hotel Sean Kennedy for skippers.

Douglas said the training highlighted simple safety rules that can save a person’s life.

“Like taking note of the weather forecast before travelling, letting someone who cares know where you are going and when you plan to return, make sure all safety equipment is on board and to make sure your engine is working properly.”

He said participants were trained on skills in basic navigation and sea survival techniques.

“We demonstrate the use of floating device (life jacket), the use of distance signals from pyrotechnic (hand flare), introduction of safety devices (laser) which travels about 16 kilometre, parachute rockets and smoke float and navigation skills.

“Survival equipment is one of the great important of saving lives at sea and reduce disasters at sea.

“This training is very important for skippers to prepare them before going out to sea and the introduction of safety at sea training for small craft survival training satisfy all the participants in Gizo.”

Meanwhile, Douglas said a similar training was conducted in Munda in January this year, where 12 participants were certified with the skills and knowledge on safety at sea for small crafts.

The training is fully funded by Western Provincial government through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF). It has been described as a step forward to educate boat drivers on techniques when traveling on small craft such as Out Board Motors.

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