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 increase in derelict vessels becoming a nuisance in Fiji’s waters, MSAF Chief Executive Officer Joweli Cawaki expressed hope that these services will address the issue. “This facility is available to vessel owners who wish to dispose of older vessels that are no longer safe for operation,” Mr. Cawaki stated. He encouraged ship owners to submit a request letter for scuttling and pay the necessary fees to MSAF.
Recently, MSAF pollution officers conducted a scuttling service for a local ship, the MV Uluinabukelevu, which was sunk approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Suva. Mr. Cawaki noted that the MV Uluinabukelevu was thoroughly inspected and cleaned before being submerged, with oil and debris removed prior to the scuttling.
After requesting scuttling services from MSAF, ship owners are required to pay the associated fees. MSAF will provide a checklist for the removal of oil and debris. Once cleaning is completed, ship owners must report back to MSAF. A pollution officer from MSAF will conduct a final inspection to ensure the vessel is ready for scuttling and will prepare an inspection report for the Marine Safety Coordination Report (MSCR). The MSCR, along with the AtoN officer, will issue an approval letter for scuttling, including coordinates and depth, which the ship owner will need to provide to Fiji Ports.
It is optional for ship owners to use a tugboat or another vessel for towing during the scuttling process. A pollution officer from MSAF will accompany the vessel to ensure it is scuttled at the specified coordinates and will submit a final report confirming that the vessel has been properly scuttled.