A vessel that ran aground on Namena Reef in Savusavu last Sunday is still holding oil, which raises concerns regarding potential environmental hazards. Joeli Cawaki, CEO of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, indicated that the vessel was en route to Gau when it encountered the incident.
Cawaki confirmed that they received a report on the situation and have formed a team to investigate further. A staff member based in Savusavu is collaborating closely with the vessel’s owning company to address the issue.
Current efforts are focused on the safe removal of the oil to mitigate any environmental impacts, Cawaki stated. He also mentioned that the vessel was carrying 19 passengers at the time of the incident, all of whom were safely rescued and returned to their base.
Monitoring of the situation is ongoing to ensure that any risk to the environment is minimized. Attempts to obtain comments from the vessel’s owner were unsuccessful by the time of this report.
This situation serves as a crucial reminder of the need for vigilant maritime safety practices to protect our oceans. The proactive measures being taken by authorities to address the spill highlight the commitment to environmental stewardship. The swift actions of the rescue teams ensured the safety of all passengers, showcasing effective emergency response protocols in action.
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