Passengers now stuck for 10 hours near Natovi Jetty on board MV Westerland

It has been over 10 hours since the passengers aboard the MV Westerland Interlink vessel that was on its way to Labasa have been stuck near the Natovi Jetty.

We have contacted the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji who have confirmed that the owners of the vessel, Ashok Transport Limited has arranged for technicians to make their way to the vessel.

The Authority has also confirmed that the vessel is experiencing an hydrolic defect.

Attempts to get in touch with the operations team of the company owning the vessel is still ongoing.

Fijivillage is in contact with the passengers aboard who have confirmed that they have been offered breakfast.

The passengers that they were told about a mechanical difficulty that the vessel was experiencing.

They have also informed us that the reporting time for the vessel was 10pm however it berthed at the Natovi Jetty at midnight.

The vessel left shortly after that and has been stuck since 3am.

Passengers have confirmed that there are over 200 passengers aboard the vessel with approximately 50 children.