The Maritime Authority of Fiji (MSAF) is conducting an investigation into the grounding of the passenger vessel Lomaiviti Princess II, which occurred in the Maloi Passage on the west coast of Ovalau yesterday.
The vessel, which was carrying over 40 passengers, crew members, and five vehicles, was en route from Natovi Jetty to Levuka when the incident took place around 9:20 a.m. MSAF’s chief executive officer, Joweli Cawaki, was notified shortly after the grounding happened.
Cawaki stated, “Lomaiviti Princess II accidentally ran aground along the Maloi Passage. Fortunately, another vessel, Saint Mary, was nearby to provide assistance by towing and transporting the passengers to Levuka.”
Captain Aca James Small, the manager of Goundar Shipping Service, indicated that the vessel was on its regular route when it struck the reef. He mentioned, “We are investigating the cause of the incident because this is their daily route; the crew may have been negligent, assuming they knew the route well.”
He also expressed relief that there were no injuries among the passengers. Captain Small added that they would need to wait for high tide to salvage the vessel. As a precaution, Goundar Shipping Limited has suspended all scheduled travel to Levuka until further notice.