Korean National In Isolation After Successful Medivac

For five days, the Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre worked with the Hawaii Rescue Coordination Centre to rescue a 51-year-old Korean national on Wednesday.

The centre was alerted of the distress signal last Saturday.

The Korean fishing vessel was located in the North West of Kiribati at the time.

Countries closer to the location of the vessel were reluctant to help.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division Maritime Commander, Commander Timoci Natuva, said the Fiji RCC officially took over the case when the vessel reached Fiji’s search and rescue region.

Commander Natuva said the centre continued to provide medical advice and coordination with stakeholders including the Korean Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health to allow the patient to be offloaded in Fiji.

“The patient had a history of heart problems,” he said.

He was handed over to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services team who took a structured and strict approach with all necessary precautions in light of the COVID-19 situation.

The patient is now in isolation at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and is being closely monitored.

RFNS Kacau

In another development, the RFNS Kacau escorted a vessel of interest into Denarau Marina on Wednesday.

The U.S. registered vessel had departed the marina for Tavarua earlier in the week.

Commander Natuva said the RFNS Kacau escorted the yacht into Denarau Marina in support of border Police and the Fiji Revenue Custom Services.

On March 29, 2020 Government had announced that all passenger travel to outer islands would cease as a result of the COVID-19 containment measures.

The RFNS Kikau is currently on patrol in Eastern Viti Levu around Lomaiviti waters.

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