The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has confirmed that investigations are continuing into a fire that broke out on the vessel DAE JIN.
Authority CEO Joweli Cawaki said the vessel, built in 2001 and registered to Service Marine Ltd, remains in the harbour as the authorities continue their inquiries.
“The owner of the boat had requested MSAF to make do with it,” Mr Cawaki said.
“They asked if we could scuttle it, but, unfortunately, we cannot do that because investigations are ongoing.”
He said both the police and Suva Port authorities were conducting separate investigations.
“I haven’t heard anything about the cause of the fire.
“So, we will just have to wait for the outcome of the investigation.”
Mr Cawaki said the condition of the Chinese nationals, who were crew members and sent to the hospital following the incident, remains unknown “but are most probably stable”.
“Those who ended up in the hospital were covered by the owners of the vessel, so they will take care of that.”
The fire reportedly started in the vessel’s engine room on the night of March 14.
The fishing vessel DAE JIN on fire.
Picture: SUPPLIED
