Kabariki village seeks removal of Tongan vessel stranded with fuel [1]
Friday, September 2, 2016 - 20:26. Updated on Friday, September 2, 2016 - 20:26.
A delegation from Kabariki village on Kadavu Island in Fiji have asked for the safe removal of a Tongan vessel MV Sitka from its waters after it got stuck on a reef due to mechanical problems on 21 August. The boat currently has 20,000 litres of fuel on board.
Fiji Times reported that the six Tongan crew were rescued and had returned to Tonga. They were sailing the vessel to Honiara because it was sold to a company in the Solomon Islands, before running into difficulties in Fijian waters.
The vessel is now currently anchored between Muaninuku and Tabuya villages in Kadavu.
The delegation went to the chief Tui Levuka on Monday, 29 August because the waters where the vessel is within the traditional fishing ground under his jurisdiction.
Kabariki Village Headman Sakeo Luvunakoro in their presentation had apologized on behalf of the Tongan crew, who had assured them of their blessings.
"They were stranded at the village and had been returned to Tonga. They have asked us to look after the boat."
Meanwhile, Fisheries Officer Kadavu Kaminieli Nabalarua today confirmed they are patrolling the waters where the vessel is anchored.
He said this was to ensure there was no leakage of fuel because it would harm the marine ecosystem and organisms.
“We are patrolling this area to make sure there are no oil spills and we are not taking the risks," he said.