Posted on April, 14 2025

Talica Vugawai, Viniana Voivoi, Leba Kalo, and Selina Kadalako participated in a week-long training facilitated by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF). The training covered Boat Master, Basic Sea Safety, Restricted Master/Engineer Class 6, and Maritime Awareness.

Talica shared her gratitude for being selected, saying the training was not only a personal milestone but a meaningful step forward for the entire Veilomani Women’s Group.
“Most of our travel is by boat, so having this certification is a big help."

Over the years, the women and their families faced ongoing transport challenges, limited access to  sea safety and boating knowledge and a lack of resources to support their mobility and community responsibilities.

“ We’ve faced challenges over the years, but we never gave up,” she said.

Despite the difficulties, the women continued to push forward—first successfully securing a boat through support from their village of Nabouono and a grant from the UNDP Small Grants Programme. With the boat in place, the group took another step by approaching MSAF to provide the necessary Boat Master License training. The initiative was further supported by WWF-UK through the Safeguarding Turtle Nesting Populations in Fiji project.

One of the objectives of the WWF-UK project is engaging specific coastal communities to explore alternatives to the current harvest of turtles for meat. Udu was identified after consultations and a request by the district for support. The Boat Master training provides essential knowledge to make boating safer for the wider community, while the boat itself offers an alternative income stream for the Veilomani Women’s Club—strengthening market access for products made by the women and enhancing their connectivity.

Talica added that having a Boat Master License empowers them to travel safely to the mainland, shop for necessities, support their families, and fulfill responsibilities to their church and vanua. She extended her heartfelt thanks to MSAF for the opportunity and support provided through the training.

While the spotlight rightly shines on the four Veilomani Women’s groups  they were among 35 representatives from the Udu district—villages of Vunikodi, Nukusa, Cawaro, Nukudamu, and Nabouono—who also completed the training. The week-long programme was a milestone not just for individuals, but for entire communities in one of Fiji’s most remote maritime regions.

In congratulating the participants, MSAF CEO Mr. Joeli Cawaki reminded them of the vital importance of prioritising safety at sea. He urged them to be vigilant about changing weather conditions, to always be prepared, and to practice caution, noting that Fiji has seen past tragedies where lives were lost at sea.

As a maritime nation, Fiji depends heavily on safe ocean travel—especially in rural and remote island communities. This training not only enhances maritime safety but also empowers youth and women with skills that strengthen resilience and self-reliance. In the words of Talica, it’s about providing for their families and honouring their responsibilities to the vanua.