LCT Sigavou having navigated past the Egan Bridge in Sibu on her delivery voyage to Fiji on January 17.
By LEONE CABENATABUA
A Government ship survey team led by Permanent Secretary of Works, Transport and Public Utilities Commander Francis Kean recently returned from conducting final tests and trials of a landing craft in Sibu, Malaysia.
They were accompanied by two Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) surveyors.
Commander Kean said the initial assessment was first conducted in November, last year.
“The landing craft Sigavou is 47metres in length and was built under NK Classification at the Eastern Marine Shipbuilding Yard in Sibu, Malaysia,” he said.
Commander Kean said the Sigavou is a new ship, which was launched in June 2013.
“The Sigavou has a net tonnage of 149 tons and carries on board a 20ft reefer and general cargo container to assist many of our maritime travellers with their respective individual cargoes.
“This latter facility will provide better cargo handling capability, freshness and longevity of cargo and most importantly security.”
Utilisation
He pointed out the Sigavou would be a workhorse for the Government Shipping Services (GSS) fleet.
It would support the over stretched 32m Vatulawa in the implementation of Government infrastructural projects in the maritime islands.
“The Sigavou is also earmarked to play an effective supporting role to NDMO during times of national natural disasters. The Sigavou has a compliment of 10 and can carry a minimum of 15 passengers, which in most cases will be earmarked for workmen for projects in the maritime islands and drivers of vehicles or machinery embarked onboard.”
Commander Kean said the Sigavou under the command of Captain Pauliasi Vakaloloma departed Sibu, Malaysia on Friday, January 17 for Suva via Lae in Papua New Guinea.
“The second landing craft has also been identified in Malaysia. This LCT was launched in July 2013 and is undergoing final works after our initial inspection in November last year and also last week.”
Details
He said the 43m landing craft is also built to NK Class and will be going through her final tests and trials with the classification society in late February or early March.
The ministry will conduct its own final survey in late March prior to delivery.
Commander Kean confirmed that the third ship would be a passenger ferry.
“We hope to take delivery of her in late December or early 2015.
“All three ships built to NK Class are compliant to Fiji’s Ships Registration Decree which should come into force on 5 March, 2014,” he added.