Ship owners looking to dispose of old, unused, or derelict vessels can now seek assistance from the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF). Scuttling, which refers to the safe and proper disposal of abandoned vessels, is becoming increasingly necessary as derelict boats present an eyesore in Fiji’s waters.
MSAF’s chief executive officer, Joweli Cawaki, expressed hope that these scuttling services would address the issue of derelict vessels. He urged ship owners to submit a request letter for scuttling and to pay for the service provided by MSAF.
Recently, the MSAF pollution officers successfully scuttled the local ship MV Uluinabukelevu, sinking it approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Suva. According to Cawaki, the vessel was thoroughly inspected and cleaned prior to being sunk, with all oil and debris removed to ensure environmental safety.
Ship owners interested in scuttling must submit a request letter along with the appropriate fees to MSAF, which will then provide a checklist for necessary cleaning. Once the cleaning is completed, vessel owners are required to report back to MSAF, which will conduct a final inspection to ensure the ship is ready for scuttling. Subsequently, MSAF will generate an inspection report and provide an approval letter that includes specific coordinates and depth for scuttling, which must be submitted to Fiji Ports.
Cawaki noted that it is optional for ship owners to utilize a tugboat or other vessels for towing during the scuttling process. An MSAF pollution officer will accompany the ship to confirm the scuttling takes place at the designated coordinates. Following the scuttling, the pollution officer will issue a final report confirming that the vessel has been successfully disposed of.