RFNS Volasiga Latest Addition To Naval Fleet

She brings a breath of fresh air to Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division personnel and has been rightfully named as well.

The RFNS Volasiga, which means ‘Bright Morning Star’, is the latest addition to the Fiji Navy fleet. It is a research ship that is fitted with the latest equipment to carry out hydrographic works, which includes survey of the sea and mapping out areas.

The ship is a gift from the people of the Republic of Korea.

The Vice Minister of Fisheries and Oceanic in Korea, Dongsu Kim, was the chief guest at the commissioning.

He said Fiji and Korea had a special relationship, adding that an agreement between the two countries signed in 2016 paved the way for this ship to be brought to Fiji.

The Acting Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mahendra Reddy, said Fiji’s maps of its seafloors and other oceanic areas were quite old and the new ship would help chart new and relevant maps.

The RFNS Volasiga will be captained by Lieutenant Jarvis Robertson and supported by his 15-strong crew.

The ship is fitted with an X-Band radar, has autopilot capability, a multi beam echo sounder, side-scan sonars and an automatic identification system.

Edited by Percy Kean

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