Fiji Navy Activates Search And Rescue After an Inter-Island Ferry Emergency
The MV Liahona II was safely escorted into Kavala bay by the RFNS Kikau.
Friday 19 April 2019 | 12:48
The Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre has activated its search and rescue operations.
Update: The search and rescue operation activated by the Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre was terminated as of 4:50pm, Friday April 19, 2019.
This comes after the RFNS Kikau safely escorted the MV Liahona II into Kavala Bay.
#SAR (Kadavu Waters) As of 4:50pm, the Rescue Coordination Centre has terminated this case after RFNS KIKAU safely escorted MV LIAHONA II into Kavala Bay passage
Related stories
RFNS KIKAU & the deployed @VFRfiji team will return to base and are due to arrive later this evening #Fiji#TeamFijipic.twitter.com/nRheZO6wkC
— FMSRCC (@fmsrcc) April 19, 2019
A three member team from the Volunteer First Responders were also deployed with the Fiji Navy. The team included an emergency physician and 2 rescue medics.
#SAR (Kadavu Waters) We answered the call to support the Republic of #Fiji Navy with search & rescue
A 3-member team of volunteers including an emergency physician & 2 rescue medics were deployed & a 2-member team maintained watch at @fmsrcc #InterAgency #SoThatOthersMayLive pic.twitter.com/x2eTrIei57
— Volunteer First Responder (FIJI) (@VFRfiji) April 19, 2019
----------------------------------------------------------
Update:
The Fiji Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has confirmed that the RFNS Kikau was deployed to monitor the MV Liahona II.
This is the latest from the Centre:
#SAR (Kadavu Waters) RFNS Kikau deployed earlier today with a quick response team from @VFRfiji to monitor the MV Liahona II that has lost its ramp but is maintaining a slow & steady course for Kadavu An aircraft was also overhead The RCC continues to monitor the vessel #Fiji pic.twitter.com/xFi4nkRNTD — FMSRCC (@fmsrcc) April 19, 2019
#SAR (Kadavu Waters) RFNS KIKAU has intercepted the MV LIAHONA II and is escorting her to Kadavu Once the stricken vessel has safely entered coastal waters, RFNS KIKAU and the deployed @VFRfiji team will return back to base#SearchAndRescue #Fiji #TeamFiji pic.twitter.com/kNuagu9oOa — FMSRCC (@fmsrcc) April 19, 2019
----------------------------------------------------------
A search and rescue operation has been activated by the Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre (FMSRCC) for an inter-island ferry emergency. The centre confirmed that an inter-island ferry is taking water near Kadavu.
#SAR (Kadavu waters) The Centre has been activated for an inter-island ferry emergency The Centre is in contact with the vessel captain every few minutes to check on its status The Navy has started mobilizing a response boat & crew including medical personnel #Fiji pic.twitter.com/q0rugnOPzR — FMSRCC (@fmsrcc) April 18, 2019
They also confirmed that the ferry is in 'abit of danger after it lost its forward ramp. FMSRCC said the captain hasn't activated a distress signal yet and nearby Fiji Naval vessels are on standby. FMSRCC is in contact with the captain to check on its status. The ferry is believed to be the MV Liahona II. It is still unknown at this stage how many passengers are on board. A passenger on the boat had posted a video on Twitter.
BREAKING!! My Boss and his family on-board the Liahona II on their way to Kadavu and the boat lost its ramp and is taking on water with full passengers and cargo. They left last night and still on Beqa waters! SOS! 🚨 @FijiOneNews @FBC_News @fijipoliceforce @fijigo — HāiVaHewa (@SamuelaKuridran) April 18, 2019
We have a quick response team that has already deployed to support #Fiji Navy #SearchAndRescue #SAR operations All coordination through @fmsrcc — Volunteer First Responder (FIJI) (@VFRfiji) April 19, 2019
Background on the MV Liahona II:
The vessel is owned by South Island Shipping Services.
Early last month it was docked at the Fiji Ship and Heavy Industries Limited’s (FSHIL) slipway in Suva undergoing major maintenance works.
MV Liahona II was up-hauled on March 2, 2019 by its owners after seeing the need to upgrade the vessel’s under water steel hull and engine works.
