The Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division was alerted to a fishing vessel that ran aground at Navatu Reef in the Lau group with 15 crew members on board.

The RFNS Savenaca was diverted from its patrol tasking to respond to the search and rescue operation.

A Navy search and rescue flight team was also tasked for the mission.

On its Facebook page, the RFMF Naval Division confirmed all crew are safe and well and awaiting salvage operations being monitored from the Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre.

“The Navy search and rescue flight team and RFNS Savenaca also used the opportunity to test aeronautical search and rescue comms and protocols and also assessed for any indication of an oil spill.

“We acknowledge the Ministry of Defense for the expedited search and rescue flight tasking approval, Republic of Fiji Navy HQ and the Aeronautical Rescue Sub-Center (ARSC) in Nadi for maintaining safety overwatch on the SAR Flight,” the post said.

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