Photo: 123RF
Fijian sailors can breathe a sigh of relief after a date was announced for a vital training course needed to renew seafarer safety certifications.
On Wednesday the Fiji Maritime Academy announced it would offer the course to update the Fiji Seafarers Certificate of Competency in mid-September.
Sailor and third engineer Maverick Maharaj saids after months of waiting and frustration, the news comes as a relief.
In 2010 the International Maritime Organisation updated the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers and gove governments until the end of 2016 to update certification procedures and training.
Mr Maharaj said most companies won't hire sailors until they have passed the week-long course.
Yeah, it has been a big relief. I've been sitting at home for the past four months waiting to find employment and now that they've sort of said or confirmed that they're running the course on the 19th it's a big load off my shoulders.
