GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has directed Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) to prepare to become an independent Maritime Safety Authority soon.
This was revealed by the Director Captain Timothy Harris saying this will be a self-funded organization instead of being a government department.
This means it would meet its own operational costs and have its own board. Revenue is expected to come from the services to the shipping industries.
Mr Harris said, this change would bring SIMSA in line with most modern maritime nations in the Pacific region like Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.
“This will enable SIMSA to give a better service to the shipping industry and fulfill SIG’s mandatory obligations under the International Maritime Conventions.”
He added, the organisation would represent Solomon Islands at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Hydrographic Office (IHO), the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) and the Tokyo-MoU.
By ALFRED PAGEPITU
