| dc.description.abstract | Boat Licensing is a fairly new aspect in Kenya with the only maritime Authority - Kenya Maritime Authority having been established recently in 2004 with a jurisdiction of all Kenyan waters. The uncertainties of a vessel's seaworthiness while in the high seas and inland waters is a fear which most people aboard those vessels do not comprehend and take into account.
The purpose of the study was to examine the factors affecting boat licensing. The study used both survey research design and ex - post facto research design. The population of interest in this study comprised a sample of Beach Management Units which was selected using random sampling in coastal waters and inland waters having a population of 20500 boats. Data collection was done through primary sources of questionnaires and semi structured interviews.
From the study findings, the study concluded that the government agencies mandated with boat licensing were ineffective in implementing their mandate as attested by the majority of the respondents. This is indicative of the laxity in the implementation of government policies on boat licensing which further prohibits the operations of the maritime industry. The government policy that 'it is mandatory to have all boats licensed, without which they should not be found operating in the waters' was being partially implemented.
Licensing stability is a prerequisite for a healthy economy, government monetary policy through ensuring minimum inflation or deflation provide licensing stability and that the most effective tool for regulation of licensing is to adjust interest rates respectively. Most of the respondents used their boats for fishing and for passenger transportation respectively. The majority of the respondents further posited that the area of operation affected compliance to boat licensing thus the area of operation is a key determinant of boat licensing in Kenya.
The study further concluded that the local community affects the operation of boats in the area. In the coastal waters many boat owners have managed to insure there boats as compared to their inland waters counterparts, area of operation affects boat licensing as it determines marine insurance covers offered in that specific area which help to increase the seaworthiness of boats, boats operating in inland waters (rural) cannot be easily accessed by the regulating body and of any government or private officials respectively.
The researcher further concluded that boat owners consider boat licensing is a tie up of funds which could be channeled to 'better' investments opportunities. Very few boat owners are committed to complying with the law in terms oflicensing' which indicated that compliance with the law in terms governing boat licensing in Kenya is very low. There has been creation of new structures in the management and policy framework of the maritime industry over the last 3 years the research concluded that the main categories of the commercial type of boating activities included fishing, transporting the passengers and cargo transport.
The study has recommended review of the existing policies and laws on boat licensing with a view to effectively manage the boat licensing efforts in the country. The study has also recommended a more comprehensive and regular country-wide awareness campaign among the boat operators and owners in the country on the importance of boat licensing. The research has further recommended that the government, particularly the KMA should install strict measures to ensure effective implementation of policies and laws on boat licensing in order to address the laxity among the government agencies in the implementation of the boat licensing policies and law. | en_US |
