News

MSAF oil spill equipment on standby

November 24, 2015 10:46 pm

Police have managed to interview two out of the 34people who were on board the MV Suilven yesterday when it was sinking in the Suva harbour.

Police Spokesperson Ana Naisoro says the rest of the crew and passengers are still in a state of shock and need time to recover from the ordeal.

Meanwhile the Maritime Safety Authority’s oil spill equipment is on standby at Government Shipping Services (GSS) ready to deploy to the site of the sunken MV Suilven should the need arise.

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Permanent Secretary for Transport Francis Kean says MSAF is also liaising with oil companies for the use of their oil spill equipment.

The MV Suilven sank at the Western side of the Suva Harbor entrance late yesterday afternoon on its return from Levuka to Suva.

At the time, the ship was carrying 30 crew and 4 passengers plus 25 reefer containers.

Kean says the GSS Ship MV Rogovoka is also on standby to help remove of any floating cargo from the sunken ship.

Last night, Fiji Ports Corporation staff were monitoring the sunken ship.

A light buoy has also been installed at the site to warn all ships transiting in the area.

MSAF is conducting an investigation into the incident and has issued a notice that the entrance to Suva Harbour is safe and clear for transiting ships.