Government has ordered an investigation into why a patrol boat with modern navigational technology, the RFNS Kiro, ran aground on Cakauyawa Reef near Makuluva and Nukulau islands last Friday.
The military confirmed the hull was breached and the ship was taking in water but there was no word as to when the ship would be towed from the reef.
It is believed a team from the navy and towing company did a thorough inspection of the RFNS Kiro yesterday and it would be towed before the end of the week.
Cakauyawa Reef is on the Kiro’s regular patrol route.
Defence Minister Timoci Natuva said he had called for an investigation and wanted a report to understand how this could have had happened.
The Kiro is a Pacific class (also known as the Pacific Forum class and the ASI 315 class) of 22 patrol boats built by Australia and given to 12 South Pacific countries.
The RFNS Kula was given in May 1994, RFNS Kikau in May 1995 and the Kiro in October of 1995.
Constructed from 1985 to 1997 and operated by militaries, coast guards or police forces of the 12 island nations, these boats are supported by the Pacific Patrol Boat Program. They are used primarily for maritime surveillance and fisheries protection. Two more patrol boats were given to Fiji early this year.
The patrol boats were given by Australia and New Zealand following requests by several Pacific nations for assistance. Australia created a Defence Co-operation Project, the Pacific Patrol Boat Program, to design and provide suitable patrol boats to island nations with training and infrastructure to support these ships.
