What safety features are on the Pelena Express boat?
The most important safety feature is the training of the crew. All crew are rural Solomon Islanders with extensive personal experience in safety at sea. Additionally, all crew members have completed extensive Solomon Islands recognised maritime training in fire-fighting, first aid, survival at sea techniques, occupational heath and safety. Additionally, some crew members have undertaken training in Australia towards the final stages of vessel construction and motored the vessel from Australia to Solomon Islands. The vessel will be surveyed by Solomon Islands Marine Division and has been approved for use as a passenger vessel. The vessel was constructed to USL codes in Australia for use in waters up to 30Nm from the coastline. A full complement of lifejackets, EPIRB, fresh water, bilge pumps, multiple radios (HF & VHF) and satellite phone are also employed. Below deck, the vessel has sufficient buoyancy foam to keep the vessel afloat should the hull of the boat be ruptured.
