MARITIME Safety Authority of Fiji ordered an immediate halt to all passenger and cargo movements in Fiji’s Western Division as Tropical Cyclone (TC) Vaianu hit the country with gale-force winds and dangerous sea yesterday.
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji’s acting chief executive officer Iliesa Batisaresare issued the directive.
Mr Batisaresare said the suspension was necessary to safeguard lives and protect vessels from increasingly hazardous weather.
“Gale-force winds are already being experienced in affected areas, and these conditions pose significant risks to both passengers and crew,” Mr Batisaresare said.
Under Section 103A(5) of the Maritime Transport Act 2013, ships were exempted from standard inward and outward clearance requirements. However, this exemption applied strictly to vessels heading out to sea for precautionary measures and not for transporting passengers or cargo.
“This provision allows vessels to take necessary safety actions ahead of the cyclone, but no ship is to carry passengers or cargo during this period,” he said.
Ship masters were also reminded of their ultimate authority onboard vessels, particularly in times of emergency.
“The master has the final authority of the ship while in command, and no person shall prevent or restrict the master of the ship from taking or executing any decision which, in the master’s professional judgement, is necessary for safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment,” he said.
Authorities urged all maritime operators, including ship owners, agents, marinas and yacht clubs, to remain vigilant and monitor official weather updates as the cyclone progressed.
Goundar Shipping Services management advised all its customers that because of the bad weather, all sailings had to be called off effective from 9am on Tuesday.
The company in a notice said the safety of its passengers, crew, and vessels remained their top priority.
Interlink Shipping said all its offices were closed yesterday.
It said that due to the adverse weather conditions, all its scheduled trips for Tuesday (April 7) on the Natovi to Nabouwalu, Ellington to Nabouwalu and Suva to Savusavu, Taveuni routes had been cancelled.
Interlink Shipping said passengers safety was their top priority.
