AWARENESS & PARTICIPATION

Community Engagement

Papua New Guinea’s maritime regulator responsible for safety, search and rescue coordination, and marine environmental protection.

120+

Coastal Communities Reached

2

Active Programmes

22

Provinces Engaged

400+

Navigational Lights Maintained

OVERVIEW

Community Engagement at NMSA

NMSA’s community engagement work recognises that maritime safety in Papua New Guinea depends on the participation of the coastal and island communities who live and work on the water every day. Through structured programmes, NMSA builds local capacity, raises safety awareness, and creates pathways for communities to report incidents and contribute to navigational safety.

Safety Awareness

Multilingual safety campaigns reaching coastal villages, fishing communities, and inter-island ferry users.

Local Participation

Community members take an active role in maintaining navigational aids and supporting local compliance.

Reporting Pathways

Clear channels for communities to report maritime incidents, hazards, and safety concerns to NMSA.

Programmes

Community Programmes

NMSA currently operates two confirmed community engagement programmes across Papua New Guinea. Both programmes are delivered in partnership with provincial governments, community leaders, and local maritime stakeholders.

Critical notices are surfaced first

Check official notices before sailing, routing, or submitting operational documentation.

Emergency Response Training for Island Communities (March 2026)

A training initiative aimed at improving local response capabilities to maritime incidents and emergencies.

Programme Activities

  • First responder training workshops
  • Emergency drills and simulations
  • Distribution of response guides
  • Coordination with local authorities

Programme Outcomes

  • Improved Emergency Preparedness
  • Faster Local Response
  • Trained Community Responders
  • Safer Remote Communities

National Coastal Clean Seas Campaign (May 2026)

A nationwide effort to raise awareness of marine pollution and its impact on maritime safety and navigation.

Programme Activities

  • Coastal clean-up events in multiple provinces
  • Community awareness campaigns
  • Partnerships with schools and NGOs
  • Waste management education sessions

Programme Outcomes

  • Cleaner Coastal Waters
  • Community Participation
  • Environmental Awareness
  • National Engagement

Critical notices are surfaced first

Check official notices before sailing, routing, or submitting operational documentation.

Community Maritime Radio Network Programme

This programme establishes community-based communication points to improve real-time reporting of maritime incidents and hazards.

Programme Activities

  • Installation of VHF radio points in remote communities
  • Training local operators in communication protocols
  • Establishing direct reporting links to NMSA operations
  • Regular communication drills and testing

Programme Outcomes 📡 Faster Incident Reporting
🚨 Enhanced Emergency Response
🌐 Improved Connectivity
📢 Community Communication Capacity

Programme Activities

Programme Outcomes

Coastal Small Craft Safety Initiative

This initiative focuses on improving safety practices among small boat operators in coastal and island communities through hands-on training and safety compliance support.

Programme Activities

  • Practical demonstrations on life jacket use and vessel safety checks
  • Distribution of small craft safety toolkits
  • Community workshops on weather awareness and voyage planning
  • Collaboration with local enforcement agencies on compliance

Programme Outcomes 🦺 Improved Small Craft Safety
🌊 Reduced Maritime Incidents
✅ Greater Compliance Awareness
🤝 Stronger Community Partnerships

 

Programme Activities

Programme Outcomes

Critical notices are surfaced first

Check official notices before sailing, routing, or submitting operational documentation.

Regional Maritime Safety Workshops (Nov 2026)

A series of regional workshops bringing together community leaders, operators, and stakeholders to align on maritime safety priorities.

Programme Activities

  • Multi-stakeholder safety workshops
  • Policy and compliance awareness sessions
  • Incident reporting framework training
  • Feedback collection from communities

Expected Outcomes 🤝 Stakeholder Collaboration
📋 Improved Reporting Systems
✅ Stronger Compliance Alignment
📍 Regional Safety Planning

Programme Activities

Programme Outcomes

Coastal Youth Maritime Awareness Campaign (Aug–Oct 2026)

A targeted outreach campaign designed to educate youth in coastal schools on maritime safety and career pathways.

Programme Activities

  • School visits and awareness sessions
  • Interactive safety demonstrations
  • Distribution of youth-friendly safety materials
  • Career talks on maritime opportunities

Programme Outcomes

  • Future Maritime Workforce Awareness
  • Community Education Outreach
  • Youth Engagement
  • Increased Safety Knowledge

Critical notices are surfaced first

Check official notices before sailing, routing, or submitting operational documentation.

Emergency Response Training for Island Communities (March 2026)

Programme Activities

  • First responder training workshops
  • Emergency drills and simulations
  • Distribution of response guides
  • Coordination with local authorities

Programme Outcomes

  • Improved Emergency Preparedness
  • Faster Local Response
  • Trained Community Responders
  • Safer Remote Communities

National Coastal Clean Seas Campaign (May 2026)

Programme Activities

  • Coastal clean-up events in multiple provinces
  • Community awareness campaigns
  • Partnerships with schools and NGOs
  • Waste management education sessions

Programme Outcomes

  • Cleaner Coastal Waters
  • Community Participation
  • Environmental Awareness
  • National Engagement

Take Part

There are several ways for community members, organisations, and local governments to participate in NMSA’s community engagement work.

Become a Community Volunteer

Join your local maritime safety awareness network and help spread safety information in your community.

Maintain a Navigational Light

Apply to become a community light custodian and help keep PNG's coastal navigation infrastructure operational.

Report a Hazard or Outage

See a light that's out, an unlit obstruction, or a safety hazard on the water? Report it directly to NMSA.

Request a School Visit

Invite NMSA to deliver a maritime safety awareness session at your coastal school or community centre.

Results

Our Community Impact

NMSA’s community programmes have delivered measurable improvements in maritime safety awareness and navigational infrastructure across Papua New Guinea.

120+

Coastal communities reached through safety awareness campaigns

400+

Navigational lights monitored by community custodians nationwide

22

Provinces with active community maritime safety engagement

Partner With NMSA in Your Community

Whether you’re a community leader, local government, or NGO – we welcome partnerships that strengthen maritime safety across PNG.