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Australia will be “doing all the work” and allegedly paying for the recovery of stranded Republic of Fiji Navy patrol boat, RFNS Puamau, according to authorities and local Fijian media.
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“Australia will foot the bill” in the ongoing recovery of the donated Guardian Class patrol boat, according to several media outlets in Fiji, after the vessel became grounded on a reef while undertaking its maiden voyage with the navy, following handover under the Australian government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
Australia has already sent specialised recovery equipment to Fiji to help free the Republic of Fiji Navy vessel. It’s understood the vessel is semi-submerged and efforts are being made to minimise environmental impacts such as from an oil spill.
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) chief executive officer Joeli Cawaki has reportedly confirmed that Australian company, Perrott Salvage & Construction, has been contracted as salvage master for future recovery.
“For us (MSAF), our concern is the environment and also the safety. We’ve been told in the meeting this morning that through the Pacific Maritime Support from Australia, Australia will be doing all the work,” Cawaki allegedly told local media including The Fiji Times and Pacific News Service.
“There will be a company coming in from Australia to do this work. It’s part of the guarantee. They’ve done it for Samoa, they’ve done it for the other Pacific islands, and if worse comes to worst, they’ll have to take the Puamau back to Australia.
“But it’s up to them. If they can do it here, then good.”
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces have also announced the convening of an independent board of inquiry on the grounding of RFNS Puamau.
The inquiry has been opened due to the significant value of the affected platform ($20 million) and its recent commissioning into service (last month).
The inquiry aims to prevent similar occurrences in the future and uphold the standards of safety and operational excellence with the FN.
“As salvage operations continue at Fulaga, the Republic of Fiji Navy can confirm that debunkering operations being conducted by RFNS Savenaca have almost completed, with fuel transferred to a salvage vessel,” according to a public statement published by the Republic of Fiji Navy on 18 June.
“Oil booms were deployed to safeguard against fuel transfer operations risks. A second salvage vessel with specialist recovery equipment and personnel is expected at Fulaga within the next 48 hours for the recovery phase off the reef, weather permitting.
“Since the grounding, only the stern compartment experienced water ingress, which has been isolated and currently being managed. The vessel’s position and stability on the reef’s outer edge slope continues to be monitored by the Navy salvage team on site.
“As directed by the Commander RFMF, due process with regards to the Board of Inquiry for this incident will convene soon to gather all factual evidence and formulate their findings and recommendations for the inquiry.”
