Ship owners in need of scuttling services or disposal for their old, unused, or derelict vessels can now seek assistance from the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF). Scuttling, in maritime terminology, refers to the responsible and safe disposal of abandoned or derelict ships.
The issue of derelict vessels becoming unsightly in Fiji’s waters has prompted MSAF chief executive officer Joweli Cawaki to express hope that these scuttling services will help alleviate the problem. “This facility is available to vessel owners who wish to dispose of their old vessels that are no longer safe for operation,” said Mr. Cawaki.
He urged ship owners to submit a request letter for scuttling services and to cover the associated costs. Recently, MSAF pollution officers successfully conducted scuttling for a local vessel, the MV Uluinabukelevu, which was sunk 20 miles south of Suva.
Mr. Cawaki noted that the MV Uluinabukelevu underwent inspection and cleaning prior to its sinking, with all oil and debris being removed beforehand. After the submission of a request letter for scuttling, ship owners are required to pay the associated fees. MSAF will then provide a checklist for the removal of oil and debris.
Ship owners must report back to MSAF after the cleaning of their vessels is completed. MSAF pollution officers will perform a final inspection to ensure the ship is ready for scuttling and will submit an inspection report to the relevant authorities. The MSCR and AtoN officer will then issue an approval letter for the scuttling, including coordinates and depth, which the ship owner must provide to Fiji Ports.
Mr. Cawaki also mentioned that it is optional for ship owners to utilize a tugboat or another vessel for towing during the scuttling process. An MSAF pollution officer will accompany the vessel to ensure it is scuttled at the specified coordinates. Following the scuttling, the officer will produce a final report confirming the successful scuttling of the ship.