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RNZ News
13-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Investigation ordered after boat capsize in Suva Harbour
Photo: Fiji Government/Facebook Fiji's Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport has visited the wreck of the Lomaiviti Princess II and other derelict vessels within Suva Harbour. Ro Filipe Tuisawau said he had expressed his disappointment over the incident and ordered a full investigation. In a statement earlier this week, the Government said it was actively undertaking all necessary measures to contain the oil spill and mitigate any environmental damage. "Oil containment booms have been deployed around the vessel to prevent the spread of oil. Oil dispersants are also applied to minimise damage and reduce harm to the surrounding marine ecosystem," it said. "The next steps in the response operation include plans to refloat and reposition the LP II to clear the navigation channel, followed by the removal of the wreck." The CEO of Maritime Safety Authority Fiji told RNZ Pacific the vessel "went down" after being towed out of Narain Jetty in Suva by Fiji Ports. Goundar Shipping managing director George Goundar referred RNZ Pacific's request for comment to Fiji Ports. RNZ Pacific has reached out to Fiji Ports for comment. Minister Tuisawau emphasised the importance of protecting Suva's marine and cultural heritage. Photo: Fiji Government/Facebook "We must ensure that we safeguard the Suva Harbour and peninsula at all times. This land and maritime area was entrusted by the Vanua of Navukavu, Na Turaga Rokobaleni, and the Vanua of Nadonumai and Tui Suva of Rewa Province for the benefit of the nation." He said Cabinet had approved a legislative review on the matter. The government statement said the Joint Maritime Environment Protection Committee has been working to address the growing concern of derelict and abandoned vessels in Fiji's ports and harbours. "Derelict ships continue to be removed and disposed off. The process of coordination of stakeholder collaboration, JMEC identification of priority wrecks and initiation of legal and operational processes to support removal continues."
Scoop
05-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Removal Notice Issued For Fiji Vessel Which Capsized
'Ports came in with a tug and pulled the vessel out; once the vessel was pulled out, it went down.'The CEO of Maritime Safety Authority Fiji says the vessel Lomaiviti Princess II 'went down' after being towed out of Narain Jetty in Suva by Fiji Ports. Joweli Cawaki said Lomaiviti Princess II was unmanned when it capsized at about 4pm on Monday and nobody was injured. 'The boat just tilted to one side and took in water and it went down,' Cawaki said. The vessel had been tied up at Narain Jetty since 2019. The Fiji Ports – which runs the jetty – served Goundar Shipping which owns Lomaiviti II a removal notice. 'Ports came in with a tug and pulled the vessel out; once the vessel was pulled out, it went down,' Cawaki said. 'It was a risk in all senses of the word risk – it took up space at the wharf and it's been used as Goundar Shipping as a dumping ground and now that it has sunk, it has sunk where there is a channel.' He said other vessels could hit Lomaiviti Princess II. It is sitting in just under two metres of water. Cawaki said a boom used to contain oil spills is around the ship and people are watching at all times for any oil leaks. 'According to Goundar Shipping there's not much in the inside of the vessel, in terms of the chemicals and the oil.' He said the ship could be salvaged by pumping out the water and blocking the holes. Cawaki said a meeting today would decide what would be done with the vessel. On May 26, passenger ferry Lomaiviti Princess VII ran aground in Ono-i-Lau, and it was towed back to shore by Lomaiviti Princess XII which also took the stranded passengers.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Removal Notice Issued For Fiji Vessel Which Capsized
The CEO of Maritime Safety Authority Fiji says the vessel Lomaiviti Princess II "went down" after being towed out of Narain Jetty in Suva by Fiji Ports. Joweli Cawaki said Lomaiviti Princess II was unmanned when it capsized at about 4pm on Monday and nobody was injured. "The boat just tilted to one side and took in water and it went down," Cawaki said. The vessel had been tied up at Narain Jetty since 2019. The Fiji Ports - which runs the jetty - served Goundar Shipping which owns Lomaiviti II a removal notice. "Ports came in with a tug and pulled the vessel out; once the vessel was pulled out, it went down," Cawaki said. "It was a risk in all senses of the word risk - it took up space at the wharf and it's been used as Goundar Shipping as a dumping ground and now that it has sunk, it has sunk where there is a channel." He said other vessels could hit Lomaiviti Princess II. It is sitting in just under two metres of water. Cawaki said a boom used to contain oil spills is around the ship and people are watching at all times for any oil leaks. "According to Goundar Shipping there's not much in the inside of the vessel, in terms of the chemicals and the oil." He said the ship could be salvaged by pumping out the water and blocking the holes. Cawaki said a meeting today would decide what would be done with the vessel. On May 26, passenger ferry Lomaiviti Princess VII ran aground in Ono-i-Lau, and it was towed back to shore by Lomaiviti Princess XII which also took the stranded passengers.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Removal notice issued for Fiji vessel which capsized
The offices of Fiji inter-island ferry company Goundar Shipping in Suva. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana The CEO of Maritime Safety Authority Fiji says the vessel Lomaiviti Princess II "went down" after being towed out of Narain Jetty in Suva by the Fiji Ports Cooperation. Joweli Cawaki said Lomaiviti Princess II was unmanned when it capsized at about 4pm on Monday and nobody was injured. "The boat just tilted to one side and dig in water and took in water and it went down," Cawaki said. The vessel had been tied up at Narain Jetty since 2019. The Fiji Ports Authority - which runs the jetty - served Goundar Shipping which owns Lomaiviti II a removal notice. "Ports came in with a tug and pulled the vessel out; once the vessel was pulled out, it went down," Cawaki said. "It was a risk in all senses of the word risk - it took up space at the wharf and it's been used as Gounder Shipping as a dumping ground and now that it has sunk, it has sunk where there is a channel." He said other vessels could hit Lomaiviti Princess II. It is sitting in just under two metres of water. Cawaki said a boom used to contain oil spills is around the ship and people are watching at all times for any oil leaks. "According to Goundar Shipping there's not much in the inside of the vessel, in terms of the chemicals and the oil." He said the ship could be salvaged by pumping out the water and blocking the holes. Cawaki said a meeting today would decide what would be done with vessel. On May 26, passenger ferry Lomaiviti Princess VII ran aground in Ono-i-Lau, and it was towed back to shore by Lomaiviti Princess XII which also took the stranded passengers. RNZ Pacific reached out to Goundar Shipping managing director George Goundar who refused to comment.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Fiji ship saga clarified
File photo of the Gounder Fishing vessel. Photo: Facebook/Goundar Shipping Limited Correction: The Lomaiviti Princess II was being towed out of the harbour when it capsized, not on its way to support rescue operations for the grounded vessel as previiously reported. Fiji's Maritime Safety Authority has launched an investigation into Goundar Shipping Limited following two incidents involving its vessels. Late last month, one vessel ran aground on the reef of Ono-i-Lau, and villagers had to step in to ferry stranded passengers to nearby islands using small boats. On Monday, the Lomaiviti Princess II was being towed out of Suva Harbour when it capsized. But this was not on its way to salvage operations for the grounded vessel, as previously reported. The company's managing director George Goundar told local media "the mishap at Suva Harbour regarding the Lomaiviti Princess II was not the works of the company". He directed all questions to the Fiji Ports Cooperation. Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the matter was under investigation and a release would be issued after he receives an update on the matter. On 29 May, the company posted on social media about the first incident, saying "GSL Management would like to sincerely thank the people of Ono-i-Lau for your tremendous support following the mishap". "We acknowledge and appreciate your assistance in ensuring the passengers were safely brought ashore."
