NO vessel in Fiji is allowed to operate without full compliance, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) says.
It adds that ships must not sail unless they hold a valid survey certificate and have clearance to sail.
MSAF’s statement follows recent public allegations over vessel safety on the Rotuma and Northern routes.
“Any vessel found to have defects compromising safety is dealt with accordingly,” the authority said.
Addressing concerns about a specific vessel, the authority said it had undergone inspection after repairs were carried out.
“Following inspection of repairs carried out, it was approved to operate until the end of the month, after which it will be taken up for slip,” MSAF said.
MSAF also pushed back against criticism of its enforcement practices, rejecting claims that safety standards were applied unevenly.
It refuted claims of selective enforcement and remained committed to ensuring safety of passengers and crew.
The authority has urged the public to rely on verified information issued through its official channels.
Meanwhile, Interlink Shipping Services defended its safety record, emphasising that safety remained central to its operations.
“To our dear customers, interlink shipping has always prioritised safety and upholds this to the core of our business,” the company said in a Facebook post.
The company explained that a minor issue had been identified and addressed promptly, with the relevant authorities informed.
“And just like every other machinery, a minor damage was identified. There was an immediate fix and MSAF was notified on our next plan of action for an emergency docking,” the company said.
According to the company, the vessel was docked for repairs at the Suva IMEL dockyard on March 28 and remained there for three days before the issue was resolved.
Interlink confirmed the repair work came at a cost, underscoring its commitment to operational safety.
It added that the total bill at the dry dock was $75,000.
“We are committed to every customer that boards any of our ships and you can be rest assured Interlink will not comprise safety as with this example.”
