Maritime Travel To Cease From Midnight Tonight: MSAF

The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji has issued a warning to all mariners.

In a statement, chief executive officer Simon Gravenall outlined the following:

1. All Ship Masters, Ship Owners & Ship Agents for foreign & local ships, Pilots, Port Management Companies/Operators, Marinas and Yacht Clubs are advised of the approaching Severe Tropical Cyclone YASA.

2. Severe TC Yasa (917HPA), Category 5 was located near 14.6 South, 174.1 East or about 540 kilometres northwest of Nadi at 1254 hours 16/12/20 (local time). The system is currently moving east at about 6 knots.

3. All Maritime transport involving passengers and cargoes is to cease from 2359 Wednesday 16th December 2020 Fiji Local time.

4. In exercise of the powers conferred to me under Section 103A (5) of the Maritime Transport Act 2013, I hereby exempt ships from inward and outward clearances on the condition that ships do not carry any passengers and cargoes when going out to sea for the sole purpose of taking necessary precautionary measures for the approaching Severe Tropical Cyclone YASA.

5. TC YASA Threat Track Map and other details can be accessed using the following link:

https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=trackmap2

6. You are further reminded that the master has the final authority of the ship while in command and no person shall prevent or restrict the master of the ship from taking or executing any decision which, in the master's professional judgement, is necessary for

safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment.

7. For further information, please contact Mr Samuela Bulimetuira, Manager Safety Compliance & Response on E-mail: sbulimetuira@msaf.com.fj or phone 3315266/ 9906331.