Goundar Shipping Limited is under scrutiny once again following the grounding of its vessel, ‘Lomaiviti Princess 6’, near Ono-i-Lau earlier this week. The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) confirmed that an investigation is underway after the company reported a distress call. MSAF CEO Joweli Cawaki noted that the vessel was headed to the Lau Group with passengers on board, although he could not confirm the exact number of individuals aboard at this time.
Mr. Cawaki informed that another vessel, ‘Lomaiviti Princess 12’, was dispatched to assist in the salvage operation, and while the situation was reported to be under control, local villagers played a crucial role in ferrying stranded passengers to nearby islands using small boats. “The passengers were transferred off the vessel safely,” he confirmed, adding that no complaints have surfaced regarding the incident.
It was emphasized that ‘Lomaiviti Princess 6’ had been inspected and cleared for travel before its departure. Despite the assurance of safety, public concern regarding Goundar Shipping’s safety record persists. Consequently, MSAF plans to conduct a full audit of all vessels operated by Goundar Shipping to review safety measures and compliance standards. “We are about to carry out an audit to review the operations of this shipping operator—all vessels,” stated Cawaki.
Fortunately, there have been no injuries reported from this incident, but it has raised significant questions about oversight and compliance within Fiji’s inter-island transport services.
The grounding incident also draws parallels with past events involving Goundar Shipping, such as the previous mishap of ‘MV Lomaiviti Princess VII’ which encountered similar challenges. In that instance, MSAF had to assure the public of passenger safety, and all aboard were safely transferred to another vessel.
As Goundar Shipping navigates through these scrutiny events, there remains hope that these investigations and audits will lead to enhanced safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of passengers and crew in the future. The proactive stance from MSAF represents a commitment to maintaining the integrity and safety of maritime operations in Fiji’s inter-island transport system.
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