The recent drifting of two ships from Suva Harbour to Mosquito Island has been linked to strong winds affecting the area over the past few weeks. Joeli Cawaki, CEO of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, emphasized that ship owners must take responsibility for the safety of their vessels.
Cawaki announced that a joint committee is now in place between the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) and Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) to assess all vessels in the harbour. “We will start from Suva Harbour and move westward before addressing vessels throughout the rest of Fiji,” he stated.
The agency is in communication with ship owners and their agents to facilitate the swift removal of these drifting vessels. Cawaki added, “If the owners fail to act, we will take over the responsibility for their removal after notifying them.”
A meeting has been scheduled for next week between MSAF and FPCL to tackle the issue of cluttered vessels in the harbour. Cawaki noted that the recent adverse weather in Suva, characterized by strong winds and rain, contributed to the drifting of the ships.
He highlighted the importance of cooperation with vessel owners and acknowledged that while the cost of removal could be significant, the ultimate responsibility lies with them.