SOLOMON Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) says they don’t have appropriate equipment to conduct search and rescue operations in the country.
Therefore, it calls on the government to look serious into this matter and equip SIMA with the right assets for sea rescue operations.
SIMA Director Thierry Nervale said one of their jobs is to conduct search and rescue initiatives in any sea accident report, but now they don’t have adequate assets to use for any operation.
“We need a system to coordinate our operation like radio communication system and drifting models to coordinate search and rescue but at the moment we are not equipped with such search and rescue assets to respond on the ground,” he said.
He said both SIMA and Police will work together for search and rescue to be consistence.
He said for some operations they are using helicopter through arrangement from Australia.
“We also have an agreement with the Australia for some operation we have to call aircraft from Australia to come and do the operation in country,” he said.
When SIMA has operation at sea they need Australia to operate their ‘Model Search’ before search and rescue team activate the assets.
“As I have said you need to prepare to ensure you know your skipper, the boat is prepared and you have equipment on board like life-jackets.
“You need to inform your family when you leave and when will you suppose to arrive,” he said adding, “safety at sea begins within you.”
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara
