Search and Rescue experts gathered in Noumea this week are urging Pacific governments to tighten their respective maritime safety regulations.
Co-hosted by the government of New Caledonia and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in partnership with the International Maritime Organisation the workshop involves about 50 experts from the Pacific, the United States Coastguard, France, Australia and New Zealand.
The SPC's Ship Safety Audit Adviser, Omirete Tabureka says the majority of incidents requiring search and rescue operations involve small boats and can be avoided if better maritime safety regulations are enforced throughout the region.
"Like many cases involving small boats, how could they progress or improve. Like the awareness, if they have some awareness workshops to the public how could that improve and instill the safety culture in the region to the general public."
Pacific search and rescue Photo: Supplied
