Fishing vessel didn’t damage reef when it ran aground – MSAF

The Taiwanese fishing vessel, FV Huang De that had run aground close to Makuluva Island did not damage any reef as the vessel was stuck in a sand bank.

This comes as a man who lives in Nukui Village on the Rewa coast which is about 2 miles from Makuluva raised concerns about the ecological impact the vessel may have had.

Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji CEO Joeli Cawaki says surveyors have concluded their survey and he expects the report today however, from the initial assessment, the vessel had struck a sandbank and it had not damaged a reef.

While confirming this with fijivillage News, Cawaki says the vessel was not damaged as well.

He says he is also getting a report from South Sea Towage Limited which towed the vessel to Suva Port.

FV Huang De, sailing under the Vanuatu flag, ran aground last Friday and was towed to Suva Port of Monday.

The Fiji Rescue Coordination Centre had said there were no signs of an oil spill.

There were 28 people on board the FV Huang De and no injuries were reported.