Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast
POLICE and Maritime officers will continue to monitor vessels travelling to and from the provinces.
On Saturday night vessels supposed to leave for the provinces were held by maritime officers until the next day before allowing them to leave.
While people want to go to their provinces for Christmas and New Year holiday, police and maritime officers are concerned with their safety.
Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast recently told local media that Maritime officers are not trying to stop and delay vessels and OBMs travelling but they do it in a way that is safe.
He explains that each vessel, whether a ship or a boat, has a maximum limit to the number of passengers that it can carry.
The crucial matter is that the OBM boats and ships are not overloaded.
He also said the new police Stabi Craft vessels will be used during the operation.
“We are intending to use the new Stabi Craft vessels we’ve got to support that operation, but it’s a very critical operation and we’ll be working with stakeholders in this to keep everyone safe for the Christmas period.”
The operation is jointly conducted with the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Authority (SIMSA).