New rules in Cooks

INTER-ISLAND shipping in the Cook Islands will be open to all companies wanting to enter the trade, but the Government has also set down stipu lations about regularity of service and standards of vessels.

Shipping services within the country, especially to the distant northern group, have been a continuing headache in recent years.

Now internal operators will be re quired to make a minimum number of trips to outer islands; for example, a shipping company must make eight trips a year to northern islands of Manihiki and Penrhyn, and four trips a year to the southern group island of Mitiaro.

Each vessel in the inter-island service will have to meet standards of deck and cabin accomodation and carry full insurance. □