Tahiti Nui III banks on its efficient, sophisticated equipment on board

The Tahiti Nui III is currently fer­rying equipment for the popular Survivor series production from the Yasawas, to its next destination.

Survivor which was shot in the Yasawas last year; is a reality com­petition television franchise pro­duced in many countries through­out the world.

The show features a group of con­testants who are marooned in an isolated location, where they must provide food, water, fire, and shel­ter for themselves.

The contestants compete in chal­lenges for rewards and immunity from elimination.

The contestants are progressively eliminated from the game as they are voted out by their fellow con­testants until only one remains and is awarded the grand prize and is named the “Sole Survivor.”

The Survivor was first shot in Fiji in 2016.

Survivor was one of the produc­tions that brought an estimated $43m directly into the Fijian econ­omy in 2016, generating $120.4mil­lion in new economic activity.

Major productions came from American studios CBS (Survivor), Viacom/MTV (Stranded with a Million Bucks) and Fox/Lionsgate (Kicking and Screaming).

The Indian production “Jaani” was also produced here, featuring Gippy Grewal and Navneet Kaur Dhillion (Miss India 2013) as the lead actors.

Meanwhile Tahiti Nui III is one of the latest models of Marine Landing Craft to be sailing the Fijian waters now.

Tahiti Nui III Engine Room Watch Rating officer Sikeli Baleilabasa said these barges were one of those crafts that were sent to remote is­lands.

“Such vessels are good for remote islands that cannot be reached by big ships,” Mr Baleilabasa said.

“This is where it is handy – you don’t have to worry about beaching because it is designed to accommo­date it,” he said.

The Mabuala, Cicia, Lau lad said the barge had never been beached once because of all the efficient and sophisticated equipment on board.

“We have able sailors on board and the barge is in capable hands,” he said.

The craft is owned by Kokomo Private Island Resort on Yakuve Island, in the province of Kadavu.

It is one of the two crafts owned by Kokomo, the other is called the Tahiti Nui II and currently sta­tioned at the Suva wharf.

“The number of trips we make is determined by the size and quan­tity of the cargo, sometimes it is once or twice a week to Kadavu and back.”