The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) warns against outboard motors (OBMs) going out to foreign vessels while anchored at sea in the Port Cruz Harbour area.

RSIPF Maritime Division, Commander Chief Superintendent, Charles Fox says, “The Maritime Division is assisting the  Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources as part of the COVID 19 ongoing operation, to make sure  OBMs do not visit the foreign vessels anchored in the Point Cruz harbour in an operation which begun on 21 October 2020.”

“This Operation is purposely to prohibit outboard motors (OBM) from going out to the foreign vessels upon their arrival into the country and anchored outside in the Point Cruz Harbour area.”

Chief Superintendent Fox explains, “Our police maritime officers will patrol the vicinity of the transhipment vessels to make sure no one is allowed to go out to those foreign fishing vessels. OBMs and all other canoes are prohibited. Any body found breaching the COVID-19 Maritime Regulation will be prosecuted.”

“Sea patrols will be done regularly to closely monitor the movement of OBMs and other small crafts. The crew on the foreign vessels are not allowed to go ashore from the vessels and no one is allowed to board the vessels as stipulated under the COVID-19 Regulations,” says Chief Superintendent Fox

“I want to appeal to the general public and to the fish sellers to follow the Regulation that the Government has put in place to protect us all from the COVID-19 pandemic.”