The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji has two oil skimmers if required to be deployed to remove oil from the Suva Harbour.

The Authority has confirmed that the salvage team is using an oil skimmer to assist them in removing oil contained within the boomed area around the MV Southern Phoenix.

The oil skimmer is a device that separates oil floating on a liquid surface and is used for a variety of applications such as oil spill response.

Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji CEO John Tunidau says that they are closely monitoring the situation and have the National oil spill response equipment ready to be deployed and implement any clean-up process to ensure that Fiji’s marine environment remains safe from any pollutants from the sunken ship.

Two weeks ago Fijivillage had received information that the ship’s agent had informed concerned parties that the Southern Phoenix started to take in water while they were waiting for departure at 8am Saturday 6th of this month at the Suva Wharf.

The crew were unable to control the situation as the vessel continued to take in more water, further listing to the port side.

Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and Fiji Ports Corporation Limited continue to monitor the situation 24/7 and have response teams on standby in case of any emergency.

Tunidau adds that the salvage team continue to dive daily to ensure any leak is detected immediately and rectified.

Salvage operations continue and 25 containers have so far been recovered from the site.

One trailer has also been recovered.