RFNS Kikau escorting MV Liahona II to Kadavu

The Royal Fiji Navy Ship, Kikau has intercepted the South Island Shipping’s MV Liahona II and is escorting it to Kadavu.

#SAR (Kadavu Waters) RFNS KIKAU has intercepted the MV LIAHONA II and is escorting her to Kadavu

Once the stricken vessel has safely entered coastal waters, RFNS KIKAU and the deployed @VFRfiji team will return back to base#SearchAndRescue #Fiji #TeamFiji pic.twitter.com/kNuagu9oOa

— FMSRCC (@fmsrcc) April 19, 2019

According to Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre, once the vessel has safely entered coastal waters, the team will return to base.

#SAR (Kadavu waters) The Centre has been activated for an inter-island ferry emergency

The Centre is in contact with the vessel captain every few minutes to check on its status

The Navy has started mobilizing a response boat & crew including medical personnel #Fiji pic.twitter.com/q0rugnOPzR

— FMSRCC (@fmsrcc) April 18, 2019

The acting CEO of Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji Captain Philip Hill says based on the reports he has received, the 121 passengers and 10 crew members on board the vessel MV Liahona II are safe.

Hill says the vessel left Narain Jetty last night for Vunisea, Kadavu.

He adds that the Navy Vessel RFNS Kikau has been deployed with a quick response team to monitor the vessel.

#SAR (Kadavu Waters) RFNS Kikau deployed earlier today with a quick response team from @VFRfiji to monitor the MV Liahona II that has lost its ramp but is maintaining a slow & steady course for Kadavu

An aircraft was also overhead

The RCC continues to monitor the vessel #Fiji pic.twitter.com/xFi4nkRNTD

— FMSRCC (@fmsrcc) April 19, 2019

Hill adds that the vessel is slowly proceeding to Kadavu and is expected to arrive in Vunisea in the next few hours.

The Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre says they are in constant communication with the Captain of vessel MV Leahona II which started taking in water near Kadavu.

They say the vessel lost its ramp and they contacted the company to provide assistance.

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