Madang begins small craft registration after years of delay
The maritime province of Madang now has a Small Craft Registration Board and registry, appointed last year by the Provincial Executive Council, despite the Small Craft Act of 2011 requiring all maritime provinces to have their own boards.
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.
Madang Province began registering small crafts a week ago after long delays caused by the absence of a provincial small craft registration board and registry.
The board was appointed last year by the Provincial Executive Council; immediately giving effect to the establishment of the small craft registry, which wasted no time in conducting awareness programs, stressing the need for all craft owners to register their boats.
Following the registration period of two weeks, police will begin effectively implementing the Small Craft Act of 2011.
The Small Craft Act applies to all vessels less than 10 meters in length, including banana boats and motorized canoes.
The pre-registration requirements include having all the basic lifesaving appliances, such as life jackets, paddles, spare containers, bailers, and mirror, for a start.
Those who do not meet these requirements will be denied registration.
Whilst the Act has been in existence for about 15 years, Madang Province has been lagging behind in its implementation due to the absence of a Provincial Small Craft Registration Board and a Registry.
Madang's Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Robert Baim, emphasized that all boat owners in the province must take full responsibility and register their vessels plus their boat crews to ensure their safety at sea.
Baim said those who fail to do so will not be assisted when they face mishaps at sea, whether it be sea piracy, bad weather or engine problems.
"Most boat owners in Madang Province are very disobedient when it comes to safety of their boats and passengers. They do not have basic safety gears on their boats for passengers, they overload passengers; and sometimes consume alcohol whilst out at sea.
“We will, therefore; be enforcing the Small Craft Act to make sure they follow the laws and regulations. Passenger safety is paramount and all boat owners must comply,” PPC Baim said.
He added that negligence of safety regulations will be a thing of the past when the full enforcement of the law begins.
“We will make sure that the Water Police enforce the Act to tow boat owners and operators in line, especially those who disregard basic safety rules whilst out at sea. It is our duty to protect lives and properties, and those who think they can get away with it must be prepared to face the consequences,” Superintendent Baim said.
Meanwhile, Captain Carl Kamang of the National Maritime Safety Authority in Madang said registration is now into the second week.
He said boat owners have been very slow in coming forward to register their vessels, only four have registered. Two were from RD Tuna, one from the Catholic Diocese and one from Raikos District.
Captain Kamang explained that all boat owners must meet the pre-registration requirements before coming in to register at the back of the Madang Town Clinic.