Six fishermen experienced a harrowing incident at sea when their vessel, the Antwan, ran aground near Suva on Tuesday night, prompting them to abandon ship. The crew members, identified as Joseva Veremalua, Sanaila Mudunavosa, Jone Vakarewa, Kameli Matai, Joseva Tagi, and Marika Soko, managed to reach safety in a life raft and are now recovering in Suva.
The fishing boat, owned by Saheb Holdings Ltd, had departed from Suva earlier that week. Adverse weather conditions forced the crew to seek shelter around Beqa Island. On Tuesday night, while out fishing, the ship encountered rough seas that caused it to collide with the reef. Captain Jone Vakarewa reported that the ship started to take on water and began to list dangerously.
In a desperate move, the crew made a distress call. Captain Vakarewa recounted the frightening moment: “They told me, ‘hold on,’ but I said I couldn’t because we were just about to abandon ship.” Fortunately, the wind and currents guided them to shore safely amid panic among the crew.
Having had little sleep prior to the incident, the fishermen reached Wailada the following morning. Thankfully, they sustained no injuries and were declared fit after a visit to Navua Hospital around 2 AM. Sheik Saheb, president of Saheb Holdings Ltd, expressed relief that their life raft was fully equipped with safety equipment, stating that adherence to Marine Department standards was crucial in ensuring the crew’s safe return.
The search and rescue operation involved a patrol boat and a container vessel, with Harbour Master Captain Malcolm Peckham stating that they were at sea searching for the men until approximately 1 AM. Although no flares were spotted, Captain Vakarewa noted the sighting of lights that indicated assistance was on the way.
While an initial search for the Antwan’s remains occurred, bad weather hindered a closer inspection. A team is expected to be dispatched soon to evaluate the damage to the vessel.
This incident highlights the importance of safety measures at sea and the effectiveness of maritime rescue operations. The fishermen’s remarkable survival serves as a reminder of the resilience and camaraderie often found among those who work at sea.
Overall, this story resonates with hope and showcases the valor of the crew and the cooperative efforts of the rescue teams, ensuring that they returned home safely against challenging odds.
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