MV Liahona II that had lost its ramp during its voyage in the Kadavu waters on April this year is in its final stages of maintenance works.
Vessel owner, South Island Traders managing director Ulaiasi Baivatu confirmed yesterday that the vessel is due to undergo special survey by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) next week.
“The vessel is currently on a ‘no sail’ order as maintenance works by relevant authorities are being carried out,” Mr Baivatu said.
“MSAF is also yet to make its special survey on the vessel,” he said.
The vessel is currently docked at the Fiji Ship and Heavy Industries Limited (FSHIL) slipway in Walu Bay undergoing final stages of repair works.
“We had just finished working on the new ram and it has been plugged into the vessel,” he said.
“Now we are working on some minor changes and repairs on the vessel; we will then give it in for the final process which is the special survey by MSAF.
“We are hoping to complete all the maintenance works by the end of this week before the special survey by MSAF takes place.”
While there is no set time for MSAF to carry out the survey, Liahona II owners hope the vessel is given clearance at the soonest.
“We do not have a time frame as to how long the survey will go but we are hoping that after it is completed our ‘no sail’ order will be lifted and we be given the green light to start serving our normal routes again.”
MV Liahona II had lost its ramp on its way to Vunisea on April 19. During the ordeal, the vessel had started taking in water from the stern.
There were 112 passengers and 10 crew on board when the incident happened.
MV Liahona II services the Kadavu through Vunisea, Nabukelevu, Talaulia and Dravuni once a week.
Meanwhile, Mr Baivatu said their other vessel MV Liahona 1 is available for charter runs; it can also carry building materials, trucks and passengers.
“Liahona 1 is also used for franchise runs by Government but at the moment all franchise runs are still waiting pending sailing approval for this month.
“All franchise vessels are still waiting for Government approval to start its service.
“All Government franchise vessels are docked at Port Mua-i-Walu 2.”
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