“THE ships will be cleared,” says Venu Shipping Limited director Ben Naidu responding to queries about salvaging his ships from Ovalau and Suva.
The Sinu-i-Wasa I sank in the Levuka Harbour and Sinu-i-Wasa Tolu ran aground during Tropical Cyclone Winston in February. The MV Suilven sank in the Suva Harbour last November.
Last month, the company bought a brand new Roll-on Roll- Off/Pax Landing Craft called the St Mary. This sparked criticism from concerned people that how could the company be allowed to bring in a new ship without having to salvage the three ships that were no longer in operation.
The owners of the boat had not commented on what they intended to do until now.
Mr Naidu came forward and said salvaging equipment was on its way from China on board the St Mary.
“Please note that our vessels the Sinu-i-Wasa and Sinu-i-Wasa Tolu were taken away against our will – forcefully by (Tropical) Cyclone Winston in February this year and wrecked at Levuka wharf and Lawaki Toki Bay,” Mr Naidu said.
“The Suilven case is still under investigation so I cannot comment on that now. My company like many others have been the victims of Cyclone Winston and I must say that we have suffered a lot.
“My company has purchased equipment from China for the removal of the two ill-fated ships and once necessary licences were obtained for the St Mary, works to remove the first vessel will commence. This work is likely to commence on the last week of August until completed.
“We will then cut down the other vessel for scrap until it’s completely removed. I understand the concern of those who the vessel obstruct or otherwise, but as I have said that I did not purposely take those vessels and put them in that state.
“Like many others who are being helped to rebuild after the devastation of (TC) Winston, I am doing this single-handedly, so I seek the patience of those concerned.”
Concerns were raised about the environmental impact of the ships that sank and ran aground.
Mr Naidu said he was doing what he could as fast as he could to ensure the damage was minimal or almost zero.
