THE Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) reported that 23,000 litres of fuel was successfully removed from MV Fiji Princess at Monuriki Island in Malolo after it was grounded on Saturday April 4.
MSAF said a salvage support vessel had departed the site following the completion of a fuel transfer operation, however, the authority’s oil spill response booms remained with the support vessel as a precaution.
The crew members of the Fiji Princess were also safely transferred onto sister vessel Cougar and departed the area bound for Port Denarau.
As of Saturday, the authority had been monitoring the situation.
MSAF said at the time of the grounding, 30 passengers and 31 crew members were onboard, and all passengers were safely evacuated and transported back to Port Denarau.
“The preliminary assessments revealed significant damage to the vessel’s rear port side, including the steering compartment,” MSAF said.
“Sections of the hull beneath the vessel were also impacted.”
“Rough seas and strong swells prevented officers from conducting an immediate underwater inspection.”
As of Monday, April 6, efforts were focused on removing as much fuel and oil as possible from the vessel to minimise the risk of environmental contamination.
The operation was supported by a salvage specialist team from Australia.
MSAF said its priority remained the safety of all personnel, the protection of Fiji’s marine environment, and the continuation of response efforts under safe conditions.
The authority said it would continue to provide updates as necessary and that further work to recover the vessel would begin once weather and sea conditions improved.
