VMSL Update issue 1-06, for the January to March 2006 quarter.

This Update is intended to keep our friends informed about what's new at VMSL and in Vanuatu.

SECURITY LEVELS IN NIGERIA AND SOMALIA
In our last Update we noted that security levels had been raised to Level 2 in Somalia and Nigeria. We stated that 4 seafarers from a Vanuatu vessel, working offshore Nigeria, had been abducted. They were held captive for about a month and were ultimately released unharmed. Shortly after that incident 9 offshore workers were abducted from a non-Vanuatu vessel. They have subsequently been released. Let’s hope that a peaceful resolution can be found to the disturbing crises in Nigeria and Somalia. Until then Security Level 2 will remain in effect in both areas.

QUALSHIP 21
We are very pleased to report that Vanuatu is on the USCG’s QUALSHIP 21 list for another year with 8 other registries: 1Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Liberia and Marshall Islands. We salute the owners, masters and crews of the Vanuatu ships boarded and inspected by the USCG that made that possible.

STOP PRESS: We understand the Isle of Man has been added back to the QUALSHIP 21 list on appeal.

AUSMEPA
The Australian Marine Environment Protection Association (AUSMEPA), which was fashioned on a similar Greek association, HELMEPA, and the Cypriot association, CYMEPA, has inducted the Vanuatu vessels Boral Gas and Pacific Gas into the ship membership of the Association. The vessels’ owners, Origin Energy of Australia, were presented with Certificates of Entry at a recent ceremony. The vessels were recognized for their high levels of safety and environmental awareness and their membership on the USCG’s QUALSHIP 21 list. Congratulations, Origin!

FLEET / SAFETY LETTER 06085
A FLEET / SAFETY LETTER on immersion suits has just been released. Check here for details.

WEBSITE CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED
Construction on VMSL’s website www.vanuatuships.com has been completed. Let us know what you think.

Vanuatu registers its biggest ship ever
Oceaneering’s Ocean Pensador, a 94,647 gross ton tanker, has just been registered. The owner’s hope to convert it to a floating production, storage and offshore loading (FPSO) unit for transshipment of crude oil to other tankers in West Africa.

VANUATU REGISTRY MARKS AN ANNIVERSARY
Vanuatu’s 600 vessel strong international ship registry has been in existence since 1981, marking its 25th anniversary this year.

SEAFARER ENDORSEMENTS
Vanuatu seafarer endorsement certificate paper has been changed to reflect the times. You will now find it to be an eye catching light green color. Look forward to changes that will be made to the seafarer identification books.

REMINDER: our email address has been changed to .

Group executive chairman savagely beaten
Bayer Group and Vanuatu Maritime Services Limited Executive Chairman Tom Bayer was savagely attacked and beaten outside his office on Wednesday evening 5 April 2006 by several culprits.  No motive was given for the attack nor have the attackers been identified. Tom was found unconscious and was transported to the hospital where he remained for 2 days before recuperating at home for another week. He is slowly recovering from massive head and torso wounds, cuts, abrasions, and broken ribs.  A reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators. Our hearts go out to you, Tom! Get well soon!

Vanuatu Contributes to Peace-keeping Force in Ivory Coast and Haiti
French-speaking members of the Vanuatu Police Force have been seconded to the peace-keeping forces in the Ivory Coast and Haiti. This is the first time Vanuatu police have been sent to those countries in this capacity. Vanuatu does not have a military force and peace is maintained domestically by police and a small mobile force.

BANK Note Forgers Arrested
Vanuatu joined the “real world” with its first international bank note counterfeiters. Two Fijian couples arrived from Asia with counterfeit Vanuatu 5,000 Vatu notes. It only took a day to discover the problem and arrest the culprits.

Vote of No Confidence
The Opposition lodged a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Lini during the first ordinary sitting of Parliament during the quarter. The vote failed with the coalition government in power standing firm by their Prime Minister.  It was another example of democracy in action.

Financial Centre Association Election
The 2006 Annual General Meeting saw group Executive Director, Charles Kleiman, elected again as Association Secretary and Phil Tremethick, European Bank Director and CEO, elected as Association Secretary.  Congratulations to them both!

Additional gifts from China
Vanuatu’s “One China Policy” continues to create benefits for the country.  Small but welcome gifts such as laptop computers for use by Parliament and farm equipment are well received, but the forgiveness of Vanuatu’s foreign debt to China is a major windfall.  In one stroke Vanuatu’s national debt has been greatly reduced and the country is very thankful for China’s generosity.

Saltwater Prawns
Vanuatu’s first major saltwater prawn farm came on stream during the quarter, with eight tonnes of prawns for the local market.  The delicacy has been added to numerous restaurant menus; raw prawns are for sale to the public at selected outlets in Port Vila; and export markets are now being explored.  The breeding stock is flown in from Brunei and the grow-out done in Vanuatu. This is the sort of agri-investment which will continue to differentiate Vanuatu from its neighbouring countries.

Australian Aid
Australia has made a major commitment to upgrade technical training in Vanuatu, concentrating on improving teaching skills (“teach the teacher”).  The technical subjects will be directed towards those students who will not be going further academically.

New Zealand provides ratio transmitters
The New Zealand government has provided replacement main wave radio transmitters in Port Vila. The existing transmitters had lived long past their “use by” dates and transmission quality had so deteriorated that reception was greatly impaired. The replacements are welcomed by all listeners.

EXHIBITIONS AND MAIIF
1Vanuatu will exhibit at the Offshore Technology Conference in May & the International Workboat show in December,
and will participate in the Marine Accident Investigators International Forum in Panama, August 14-18, 2006.