On April 4, the passenger vessel Fiji Princess ran aground on a reef off the coast of Fiji amid strong winds.
✅ All passengers and crew are safe.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) responded quickly, deploying teams to assess the situation.
⚠️ The vessel sustained significant damage, including:
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port-side stern damage
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steering system failure
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hull damage below the waterline
Additionally:
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⚙️ engine failure
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💧 water ingress were reported
👥 Onboard were:
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30 passengers
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17 crew members
All were safely evacuated to Port Denarau.
Remaining crew temporarily left the vessel and relocated to another ship.
⛽ Approximately 20,000 liters of diesel fuel were onboard, however:
👉 no leaks have been detected.
⚓ Ongoing operations include:
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fuel and oil removal
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salvage preparations with Australian specialists
🛢️ Oil spill response equipment has been deployed as a precaution.
🌊 Underwater inspection has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
📌 Fiji Princess is a passenger vessel built in 1998,
length — 55.5 m, beam — 14.98 m, 1258 GT.
