The Lomaiviti Princess VI, which ran aground off Ono-i-Lau last week, has been successfully towed back to Suva Harbour along with its more than 90 passengers and crew members, all of whom returned safely. Joeli Cawaki, CEO of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), confirmed the incident occurred as the vessel was on a routine trip to Ono-i-Lau, where it typically anchors.
Upon reaching Ono-i-Lau, the Lomaiviti Princess VI encountered difficulties and began taking on water. Cawaki stated, “We’ll carry out an investigation on what really happened when the vessel arrives.” Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among those onboard.
The rescue operation was facilitated by another vessel, the Lomaiviti Princess XII, which departed Suva to assist with the towing of the grounded ship back to safety. Cawaki noted both vessels are now back in Suva.
This incident comes on the heels of a recent grounding of another vessel, the Lomaiviti Princess II, which also prompted an investigation by MSAF. In that case, the vessel ran aground while carrying over 40 passengers and was assisted by another ship, the Saint Mary. Investigations into these occurrences suggest there may be concerns regarding crew navigation and safety protocols on commonly traveled routes.
In light of these incidents, maritime safety remains a priority for authorities in Fiji, with hopes that proper investigations and ensuing measures will enhance the safety of sea travel in the region. The efforts to improve safety standards reflect a commitment to protecting passengers and ensuring operational integrity within Fiji’s maritime operations.
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