A maritime disaster on the scale of Rabaul Queen, the worst in Papua New Guinea's (PNG's) history, could happen again. Or so a whistle-blower at the National Maritime Safety Authority (NSMA) has told IHS Maritime. Because while much-needed government funding for maritime safety has been forthcoming, restrictions on accessing the funds are at issue. An update to the Merchant Shipping Act 1975 is complete, but has still to get ministerial approval because of political instability and a turnover of three transport ministers in a year. The NMSA's efforts to recruit new inspectors it needs to do its job and keep PNG waters safe are still hamstrung by oil majors offering higher salaries. Dates for the trials of those charged with manslaughter for the 171 men, women, and children killed when the passenger ferry Rabaul Queen sank three-and-a-half years ago have yet to be set.
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