Consultants have been engaged to carry out feasibility studies of derelict vessels in Fiji waters, says the chairman of the Maritime Environment Joint Committee and chief executive of the Maritime Safety Authority, Joweli Cawaki.
One study will focus on the costs of removing partially and completely submerged vessels as well as those stuck on reefs, while another will look at other wrecks across Fiji.
Mr Cawaki said the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) was helping with the study for the removal of partial and fully submerged vessels and reef wrecks.
“Phase Two of the process involves the clearing of half and fully submerged vessels, and those on the reefs,” he said.
“We’ve started with the appointment of a consultant to do the study for these vessels — how do we remove the vessels and how much it will cost.
“When we go to donors, they ask for figures and costs and we say we don’t have those. So we reached out to UNESCAP and they have assisted us in paying for a consultant to do that study.”
He said they would present the findings of the study to donors to secure assistance.
“The consultant for the other vessels will take up to four months for that study and it will cover all of Fiji where these wrecks are. We’ll also involve the private sector who will be doing the work and we’ll monitor them.”
Mr Cawaki said restoring and maintaining Fiji’s environment was paramount.
“The bigger picture is we want Fiji to have that pristine environment we are showcasing to the world. Visitors come for the underwater life, we can’t afford to lose that.”
