100811 FIRST CASE
By Aloysius Laukai

Coordinator for the Bougainville Disaster Office, Franklin Lacey says that the National Government has in-acted the Small craft act that requires all small boat owners to register and make sure that they have all life saving instruments before leaving the shores.

He said that under the new act boat owners could be charged to any mishaps such as the Torokina incident.

MR. LACEY said that investigations are continuing and the boat owner and the operator could be the first people to answer to charges under this new act.

He said that Police, Disaster Office and other Government Divisions would be involved in implementing this new act.

The Disaster Coordinator also warned all boat owners to comply with this new act.

Comments

[Watchmeri]

@Watchman
Change your tone. If you have issue with the news at hand be so kind as to be diplomatic in your assertions. "Maski long giaman" is typical of those who want to spoil every good intentions. I am sure the Bougainville Disaster Office would not mind ideas, advice etc. Maski toktok olsem uneducated man...

[Watchman]

How many people have lost life at sea.This piece of law is over due.
With due respect,ABG should have legislate this Law on this subject matter since its establishment.
Maski giaman nabaut. Husat tru bai implementim dispela lo. Police or Marine Authority.

[Seaferer]

Ol kantriman,the first safety lo sea travelling is "NEGLIGENCE".You must not be negligent lo ol
even very minor details or faults lo engine,boat,
fuel etc...because like you guys mentioned,safety is always the first priority.I've been using these outboard motors(40/50hp)lo crossim border from Buin(Bougainville) go lo Solomon Is...especially Gizo&Marovo lagoon(Western Province),Kia(Isabel Province)and Choiseul Province where my wife is from..eventhough me travel a hundred times across,I still make sure to check thoroughly everything before me travel...anyway with due respect,I'd like to send my heartfelt condolences to the affected families...

Thankyu tumas.

[Lanbong]

I understand that this law has just recently been enacted. Just like any new law, awareness needs to be done so that people who will be affected (boat owners, traveling public) know what the law means and how to use the law and report those that are breaking the law. Who is responsible for policing this law? Does ABG have the capacity and resources to police this law? What are the costs involved and will the ABG or national government assist by subsidising the costs of ensuring that minimum safety standards are met by the boat owners. These are just a few of the questions that need to be answered. Otherwise we will have 100% of boat owners and operators in the room guards.

Do not wait for people to break the law and use them as scape goats. Also give them an opportunity to to comply with the law before you start implementing the law.