No timeline has been given on how long the salvage operations for the RFNS Puamau will take as the Fiji Navy has started the de-fuelling process in Fulaga in a bid to safely salvage the vessel from the reef.
This has been confirmed to fijivillage News by the Fiji Navy.
The Fiji Navy can confirm that defuelling operations being conducted by RFNS Savenaca is almost completed, with fuel transferred to a nearby salvage vessel.
They say a second salvage vessel with specialist recovery equipment and personnel is expected in Fulaga over the next 48 hours for the recovery phase off the reef, weather permitting.
They say since the grounding, only the stern compartment experienced water ingress, which has been isolated and currently being managed and the vessel’s position and stability on the reef's outer edge slope continues to be monitored by the Navy salvage teams.
The Fiji Navy says as publicly communicated 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 into the grounding of the RFNS Puamau.
They confirm there has been no change to the status of the patrol boat and it is still on the reef, secured above water.
The $20 million vessel donated by the Australian Government was commissioned just a month ago.
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