AMERICAN billionaire businessman and philanthropist Theodore Waitts has given the joint marine environment committee a timeframe of one year to remove derelict vessels from Suva Harbour.
The request followed the launch of the Jonathan Smith Derelict Vessel Removal Fund which was given $US1million ($F2.25m) to work on removing the vessels.
“But there is a deadline that these vehicles must be removed within 12 months,” he said.
“They are going through the Government, they’re all going directly to people who are working to remove the vessels, remove them safely and remove them cleanly.”
There are 35 vessels that have been identified from which 17 have been given priority due to the severity of their condition.
“I know there’s 17 that can be removed very quickly, and we hope to come back a year from now and check on the progress.”
He said the problem could be fixed although it was a complicated issue.
“This shouldn’t be allowed.
“And we dug into it. It’s a complicated issue. But there’s been a group working on it and launching the fund today with our initial donation really kick-starts this effort to clean up Suva Harbour.
“To me, these vessels, when I look at them, I get angry. It really upsets me., because to me it’s a symbol of years of exploitation of Fijian waters and Fijian resources.”
The work to remove the vessels has started by the working committee. Their disposal depends on various factors.
“I think it depends on the vessel and the state of the vessel.
“Some of them will be taken offshore, some of them will be taken for salvage, depending on the condition of the metal. So, we’re working with several salvage companies, and it’s up to them, but I think it’s really on a case-by-case basis.”
Mr Waitt said though he wanted to see the work being carried out at a rapid pace most times things don’t work as fast as they should.
“I want these gone in 12 months. So, you know, sometimes things don’t move as rapidly in Fiji with the Government as you would like.
“So, one year is a good deadline, the million dollars is there, spend it now.”
He said the 17 vessels were chosen by the Fiji Ports Authority.
“They gave me that number. I believe those were chosen because they’re the easiest and quickest to remove. There are some that are at risk of sinking and urgently need to be removed because their holes are degraded because they’ve been there for so long.
“The most expensive and difficult ones to remove are the ones that are partially sunk. So, hopefully they can be removed.”
The ports authority had initially worked out a budget of $US1.5million ($F3.38m) to remove these vessels.
“We want to extend the funds as I think the FPAL has a plan that called for a million and a half dollars, but we pledged a million to get it started.”
“I think the Government has been working on it for a while, the courts have been working on it for a while, but what we really want to do is accelerate the progress to get these derelict vessels out of here.”
Mr Waitt didn’t mince his words in saying that the issue should not be tolerated in the future.
“They shouldn’t have been here in the first place.
“We also want to work to rewrite the laws to help with that, so it doesn’t happen again.”
Minister for Public Works, Transport, and Meteorological Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau with Turaga na Rokobeleni Samula Toge, middle, and Tui Suva Ratu Sanaila Mudunavosa third from left during the launch of the Captain Johnathan Smith Fund at the Suva Yatch Club yesterday. Picture: KATA KOLI
The Uto Ni Yalo and its crew members at the Suva Yacht Club harbour on Tuesday, July 29th, 2025. Picture: KATA KOLI
Crew members of the Uto Ni Yalo during the launch of the Captain Jonathan Smith Fund at the Royal Suva Yacht Club on Tuesday. Picture: KATA KOLI
Minister for Transportation Ro Filipe Tuisawau (fourth from left) and Waitt Foundation founder Ted Waitt (fifth from left) with the late Jonathan Smith’s family and guests at the launch of the Captain Jonathan Smith Fund on Tuesday. Picture: KATA KOLI
Guests during the launch of the Captain Jonathan Smith Fund at the Suva Yacht Club on Tuesday. Picture: KATA KOLI
Jonathan Smith’s family during the launch of the Captain Jonathan Smith Fund. Picture: KATA KOLI
Convention International staff members during the launch of the Captain Jonathan Smith Fund on Tuesday. Picture: KATA KOLI
Minister for Environmet Suliasi Bulitavu, right, with founder of the Waitt foundation Ted Waitt, left, and Jonathan Smith’s family during the launch of the Captain Jonathan Smith Fund at the Suva Yacht Club. Picture: KATA KOLI
