Fiji Ports works to re‑float two vessels

The Fiji Ports Corporation Limited is working with two fishing vessel companies to re‑float the two vessels that were brought near the shore in Lami by strong currents during Cyclone Winston.

Concerns have been raised on why these vessels have been left grounded after Cyclone Winston and no one seems to be doing anything about it.

When asked by Fijivillage, Fiji Ports CEO Vajira Piyasena said this will take sometime as the tug boats required for this operation are in Natovi, removing grounded vessels there.

Piyasena said the two vessels in Lami are expected to be removed by next month as they need to get a spring tide to refloat the vessels.

He said even if FPCL remove the vessels as per the Sea Port Management Act, they will still recover the costs from the owners.

Meanwhile 98% of the vessel owners operating in Fiji Ports Corporations Limited's port boundary do not have wreck removal insurance.

Piyasena said if they make it mandatory for all these small vessel owners to have this expensive insurance cover, they will have to pay a hefty premium and most of the companies may go out of business.

He said FPCL has ended up taking the burden of the removal of these vessels.