THE Solomon Islands Maritime & Safety Authority (SIMSA has clarified why ships were allowed to travel out of Honiara on Sunday the 5th December following a gazette notice that didn’t allow any ships to move in and out of the capital.
Police warned all vessels berthing at the domestic wharf in Point Cruz, Honiara that there will be restriction on vessels going out and coming in on and from the 5th of December 2021.
“As gazetted, a vessel must not enter or leave the Port of Honiara or come along side or berth at a wharf that is located within the port of Honiara or anywhere else on the coast of the Emergency Zone or go on shore anywhere on the coast of the emergency zone,” said the Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.
SIMSA Director Thierry Nervale said ships travelling on 5th December were exempted.
“First the regulations apply to all domestic vessels and small crafts. No vessels are authorised to come in and go out of the Honiara Declared Emergency Zone unless there is a formal exemption.
“The vessels loading and leaving today (Sunday 5th, December) have been formally exempted after assessment by Police.
“On SIMA side, we ensure only the exempted vessels are leaving today (Sunday),” he said.
He said: “there were safety issues on some departing vessels this morning (yesterday), but it is under SIMA control. We have vessel inspectors inspecting the vessels.
“Those vessels leaving do comply with regulations. For the vessels with possibly excess of passengers, the ship owners worked responsively and are looking at other vessels to provide the service,” he said.
Nervale reiterates that safety at sea is everyone responsibility, ship owner/operator, crew and passengers.
A number of boats left for Choiseul and Western Provinces, Sunday.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara
