245 Passengers & 33 Crew Rescued After Ferry Runs Aground Near Moala Island

In an overnight rescue operation, 245 passengers and 33 crew members were safely rescued after the Lomaiviti Princess VII, a ferry operated by Goundar Shipping, ran aground near Moala Island in Fiji on the evening of November 27, 2024.

The ferry carrying locals and travellers ran into trouble when it struck the Cakova Reef, located south of Moala Island, in the Lau Group.

The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) was immediately notified at around 7:00 p.m. local time, and necessary measures were taken. There were no signs of damage to the vessel’s hull, and no water leaked into the ship.

The priority was to ensure the safety of everyone on board, so life jackets were distributed to the passengers and crew as a precautionary measure.

Goundar Shipping didn’t waste any time, either. They dispatched another ferry, the Lady Daya, to rescue the passengers. While the Lomaiviti Princess VII was stuck, passengers were transferred to the Lady Daya, and the teams began trying to free the vessel.

After an unsuccessful first attempt, they tried again during high tide. Fortunately, their efforts were successful, and the ferry was finally refloated. Divers were sent to inspect the ferry’s hull and confirmed there was no major damage.

After the Lomaiviti Princess VII was freed, passengers bound for Totoya and Matuka were transferred back to the ferry while the Lady Daya continued on its journey, though with a delay of about 12 hours.

The company has faced criticism for past incidents, including another grounding earlier this year.

In response to the latest situation, Goundar Shipping has apologised and reassured the public that they are working hard to improve their services and regain the trust of the passengers.

MSAF has launched an investigation to understand how the grounding happened and to ensure this doesn’t happen again. They are also closely monitoring the surrounding environment to ensure there are no lasting impacts on the marine ecosystem.

The Lomaiviti Princess VII is back in service, ensuring future voyages don’t come across similar incidents.

References: fijiglobalnews, fbcnews

Source: Maritime Shipping News