The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji has used absorbent pads around the submerged cargo ship, Southern Phoenix at the Suva Harbour to remove minor oil spillage which had been contained by the deployed oil spill booms.
The absorbent pads are part of the phase two of MSAF’s oil spill containment process.
CEO John Tunidau says MSAF will continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the marine environment.
Absorbent pads absorb all petroleum based fluids including solvents, solvent based paints, vegetable oils and many other non-soluble chemicals and repels water based liquids.
Two Fiji Coastal Navigational warnings were also issued by MSAF to notify ship operators and owners including mariners of a temporary exclusion zone around the areas surrounding the sunken ship.
Fiji Ports Corporation Limited Officers and Fiji Police patrol boat continue to monitor the situation at Princess Wharf around the sunken ship.
Salvage experts from Australia engaged by ship owners have visited the area around the sunken ship to make their assessment of the situation.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the sinking.
