Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 16/00) - Governments must do more to promote marine safety in the North, says Paul Kaludjak, president of the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA).

Kaludjak sent letters to the federal and territorial departments of transportation expressing concern over the lack of boating safety and regulation information available.

He would also like to see the governments step up efforts to furnish Kivalliq seamen with proper training.

"We're asking the governments to better promote marine requirements and regulations in our region," says Kaludjak.

"We're asking the federal government to set up a training program in the region for marine crewmen and captains to help them get certified.

"We're also asking the two governments to help provide the types of equipment required to legally and safely haul cargo."

The certification and safety issues came to a head after the Arviat-based vessel, Qilalugaq, was detained in Manitoba shortly after another Arviat-based vessel, Avataq, sank while hauling cargo.

All four Avataq crew members perished.

Kaludjak says some equipment required by cargo vessels is not readily available in the Kivalliq.

He says boat owners need to know if any programs are offered by various government agencies to help subsidize costly equipment such as specialized navigational aids and wet suits.

"The least our governments can do is spend the resources to let the general public know these types of things have to be done.

"We didn't know about any of these things until after the accident and we've already had one boat detained without warning," he said.