Domestic vessels safety

Pacific to toughen up on inter-island vessels

The recommendation came from the third Domestic Ship Safety Forum held in Papua New Guinea last week with 13 Pacific nations including New Zealand.

The Pacific Community's ship safety audit adviser Omirete Tabureka says second-hand vessels are usually purchased without a pre-inspection, but that will soon be a requirement.

"To make sure it's fit for purpose...[we are] probably looking at engaging some well-qualified inspectors and surveyors. These countries lack that kind of expertise."