Maritime Training in Vanuatu
Introduction
Vanuatu, meaning "Land Eternal", is a chain of 83 islands with a total land mass of 13,000 square kilometres lying in the south west Pacific Ocean some 2000 kilometres to the north east of Australia.
The islands, with their towering volcanic cones, dense rain forest, raised coral islands and wide beaches, remain much as they have been for centuries. People choose their own pace of change.
A timeless land of beauty, Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. The ni-Vanuatu people are predominantly Melanesian and have more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages.
In the total population of 193,000 there are small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Island peoples living in harmony with the ni-Vanuatu. Bislama, French and English are the three national languages.
Vanuatu was known as the New Hebrides until independence from joint French/British rule in July 1980 saw the birth of a self-governing Republic and a new member for the Commonwealth of Nations, with a President as Head of State.
The national economy is based on copra, cattle, cocoa, fishing, timber and kava, whilst the main sources of income is from overseas are tourism and foreign currency investment.
Shipping in Vanuatu
As an island nation, Vanuatu has relied upon sea transport for its livelihood and prosperity and will continue to do so. However, like many other Pacific Island States, Vanuatu has its own particular problems and difficulties relating to shipping matters.
Domestic shipping operations in Vanuatu are provided by individual private owners, with some 120 vessels currently in operation as inter-island traders, charter vessels, passenger ferries, resort craft and fishing vessels. The majority of the 800 seafarers employed aboard these vessels are poorly trained and lack much of the knowledge and many of the skills required under STCW.
Many of the trading vessels which provide the key links between islands tend to be old, are not in good condition and should be replaced. Most operators, however, are not at present inclined to the commitment to maintain or replace these aging vessels.
The Department of Ports and Marine was, until recently, responsible for the administration of domestic maritime legislation and the operation of a small marine school in Port Vila to train and certificate seafarers for the domestic fleet. Under this regime, domestic maritime legislation was not fully enforced. Thus the problems of an aging fleet, minimal regulation and inadequate training have combined to compound Vanuatu's domestic shipping problems.
In 1981 Vanuatu established an International Shipping Register. Since 1993 this has been managed by Vanuatu Maritime Services Ltd. which is responsible to the Commissioner for Maritime Affairs (who is charged with administering the maritime legislation affecting the international register) for flag state issues concerning international vessels, including compliance with international standards.
