The Works Ministry will see that vessel owners in the North be severely penalised if they get into trouble at sea, and Fiji Islands Marine Safety Administration or FIMSA officers find out that they are not registered.

Works Ministry spokesperson, Sainiana Waqainabete said they are trying their best to get these vessels in the North registered next week, so as to be prepared if something worse happens at sea, and it will be very easy for them to locate the vessel.

Waqainabete adds that heavy penalties will be laid down if vessel owners do not register.