Ship owners in need of scuttling services or disposal of their old, unused, or derelict vessels can now seek assistance from the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF). Scuttling, in maritime terms, refers to the safe and proper disposal of abandoned or derelict vessels.
With an increasing number of derelict sailing vessels cluttering Fiji’s waters, MSAF chief executive officer Joweli Cawaki is optimistic that the scuttling services will alleviate the issue. “This facility is available for vessel owners who wish to dispose of their old vessels that are no longer safe for operation,” Mr. Cawaki stated. He urged ship owners to submit a request letter for scuttling and to pay for the associated services.
Recently, MSAF pollution officers performed scuttling services for a local vessel, the MV Uluinabukelevu, which was sunk 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Suva. Mr. Cawaki noted that the MV Uluinabukelevu underwent inspection and cleaning before being submerged. “They removed oil and other debris prior to scuttling,” he commented.
To begin the scuttling process, ship owners must submit a request letter to MSAF and pay the scuttling fees. MSAF will then provide a checklist detailing the requirements for oil and debris removal to the ship owner. After cleaning their vessels, ship owners are expected to report back to MSAF.
“MSAF pollution officers will conduct a final inspection to verify that the ship is ready for scuttling and will submit an inspection report to the MSCR. The MSCR and AtoN officer will issue an approval letter for scuttling, including coordinates and depth. The ship owner must provide a copy of this approval letter to Fiji Ports,” Mr. Cawaki explained.
He mentioned that it is optional for ship owners to use a tugboat or another vessel for towing during the scuttling process. “An MSAF pollution officer will accompany the ship during scuttling to ensure it is sunk at the actual coordinates. After the scuttling is completed, the pollution officer will prepare a final report confirming that the ship has been scuttled.”