Eleven people were declared missing at sea last year

Eleven people were declared missing at sea last year while 165 people were rescued and 52 people self-rescued.

This has been revealed by Minister for Transport, Faiyaz Koya during the opening of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji office at Pacific Harbour today.

He says statistics from the Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre managed by Republic of Fiji Navy reveal that 64 search and rescue operations were conducted last year.

He says this means resources need to be deployed each time there is a search and rescue mission as lives are in danger and safety has been compromised.

The Minister says the Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre spent about $90,000 on these operations.