The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has moved into an active oversight role in the removal of the grounded MV Fiji Princess, working closely with South Sea Cruises Pte Ltd to ensure the vessel is recovered safely and with minimal harm to the surrounding environment. The vessel ran aground on April 4 near Monuriki Island in the Mamanuca Group after dragging anchor during a bout of severe weather, Blue Lagoon Cruises and MSAF confirmed.
MSAF said its “primary focus remains the protection of the marine environment” and that the recovery operation will be carried out in strict accordance with maritime safety standards. The authority has committed to continuous monitoring and technical oversight throughout the removal, signalling a regulatory-led approach to any salvage work and environmental mitigation measures required around the reef where the ship grounded.
Blue Lagoon Cruises has confirmed the retirement of MV Fiji Princess as a direct consequence of the grounding. In a statement the operator said the ship “dragged whilst at anchor during a severe weather event and as a result grounded on a nearby reef.” The company added that guests affected by the incident will be contacted and offered alternative arrangements, without specifying numbers or the exact nature of those alternatives.
South Sea Cruises Pte Ltd has been brought in as the collaborating partner for the physical removal effort; MSAF did not specify the contractor’s exact role but said the collaboration aims to marry salvage expertise with regulatory oversight. Officials emphasised that any recovery activity must balance the technical challenges of removing a grounded vessel with urgent steps to protect coral and other marine life around Monuriki, an island in a popular tourist group west of Viti Levu.
No timeline for the extraction or dismantling of the MV Fiji Princess has been released, and authorities have not provided details on the extent of hull damage, fuel on board, or any pollution observed since the grounding. MSAF’s public comments to date focus on ensuring the operation complies with safety and environmental standards, suggesting assessments and planning are ongoing before heavy salvage operations commence.
The retirement of the Fiji Princess marks a material loss for Blue Lagoon Cruises’ fleet and will have immediate operational implications for scheduled services in the Mamanuca area. The company’s confirmation that affected passengers will be rebooked or otherwise assisted aims to limit disruption to travellers, but passengers and operators in the region are likely to watch recovery progress closely as officials finalise plans to remove the vessel and protect the reef environment.
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