On March 1, 1984 The Fiji Times reported that police and navy officers arrested 15 crew members of a fishing vessel alleged to have illegally landed on Kadavu and diving for clams.
The report added the crew of Taiwanese fishing vessel Ching Feng were arrested by Suva police in connection with a case labelled the Kadavu dinghies mystery.
The 15, including the captain of the vessel, Ko Hawuon, were expected to appear in court to answer to charges of illegal landing on Kadavu and diving for clams.
A company of soldiers led by Commander Stan Brown of the Naval Squadron rushed to Kadavu on HMFS Kula after two dinghies were found hidden in bushes between Lomati and Nabukelevu-i-Ra villages.
The report added the two dinghies, each capable of carrying 20 men, were fitted with Yamaha autoboard engines, but had their propellers removed.
Commander Brown told The Fiji Times that the Taiwanese vessel was searched after a local ship owner reported seeing the vessel with two dinghies in tow near Kadavu several weeks prior.
The captain and the crew denied going to Kadavu.
A search by naval officers found diving gear and clam shells in the vessel.
The diving equipment was confiscated and handed to police.
Commander Brown said the two dinghies were hidden on Kadavu because the crew did not want to create suspicion when they came to Suva towing large dinghies used for diving.
“The dinghies were most probably used for diving for clams from the reef surrounding the island which is illegal,” Commander Brown said.
He said another theory was that the crew could have been smuggling rare parrots and iguanas from Kadavu. These fetched high prices on the world market.
But to smuggle birds and iguanas, the Taiwanese sailors would need local partners on Kadavu. The police and the troops were unable to find any local contact.
The time of arrival in Suva of the Ching Feng coincided with the finding of the dinghies.
“It is up to the police and the Public Prosecutions to question and charge them now,” Commander Brown said.
He said the troops on Kadavu would withdraw from the island along with HMFS Kula which had been patrolling the area.
Meanwhile, police sources told The Fiji Times the crew members of the Ching Feng were likely to appear before the Suva Magistrates Court The report stated the two dinghies which were taken to Vunisea, were likely to be brought to Suva by the government vessel Tabusoro.
Crew members on the Ching Feng told The Fiji Times their passports had been confiscated by the police.
But they refused to say whether they had landed on Kadavu, or whether they were diving for clams.
“We don’t know,” their spokesman said, He said they were preparing to leave for fishing grounds when police visited them on Tuesday and started questioning them.
“We just came here to take on fresh water supplies and food.”
A squad of police officers guarded the trawler anchored at Millers Wharf in Walu Bay.
Some of the crew were reported to be in custody while others were released to go back to their vessel.
