THE MV Westerland was towed and successfully scuttled yesterday, marking it the third vessel cleared under a removal program targeting 17 priority wrecks.
The operation is part of a national effort to remove hazardous wrecks, improve marine navigation and protect coastal environments.
The Joint Maritime Enforcement Committee (JMEC), chaired by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), is leading the initiative alongside Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd.
MSAF said the operation followed the removal of two fishing vessels, FV Sunshine 87 and FV Zhong Da.
The removal program is supported by a $US1million ($F2.2m) grant from the Waitt Foundation, with Blue Prosperity Fiji overseeing its operational management.
The scuttling of the MV Westerland brings the number of vessels removed under the initiative to three, with 14 more priority derelict vessels identified for scuttling across Fiji’s waters.
