Nafanua II crew overwhelmed by call of duty

The Nafanua II crew, which underwent training in Australia, are looking forward to applying their new learnt knowledge and skills in their work as maritime police crew.

The crew that includes female were in Australia for four months had to take special courses on work on a patrol boat.

Rosalia Manutulila from Lefagaoalii and  Annaliez Lene of Sa’anapu returned to Samoa with qualifications to work on the Nafanua II.

The duo are excited with the opportunity and the knowledge they gained.

Lene is a deckhand and her training has allowed her to extend her knowledge of what is expected of her job.

“We got the opportunity to learn more about operations on the boat especially while out at sea,” Lene said.

“This training provided a chance for me to learn more about what to do on deck during normal operations and in times of emergency. Part of our training included handling and operating a lifeboat, what to do when assisting someone out in the ocean, accommodating people we rescue or question and other situations.”

The 27-year-old admits the new boat is challenging because the equipment and tools on it are of new technology but she is thankful to the training she has managed to catch up.

The same sentiment was also echoed by Manutulila who is also a deckhand.

She found the tools and equipment challenging but she too was able to manage that.

Manutulila said the work of a deckhand is very important like all the work of other officers on the boat.

Part of her training includes assisting ships that are in troubles out at the sea, responding asd a first aider, lowering the lifeboat and performing other tasks necessary for survival.

Manutulila is proud to be among the female crew on the Nafanua II and she would like to see more females join the crew.

This was also shared by the Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil.

The women crew on Nafanua are the first ever females to work on a patrol boat in the Pacific region. This indeed is a milestone he said and is a positive development in gender equality.