By RANOBA BAOA
Consort Shipping Limited, owner of the roll-on/roll-off inter-island vessel MV Spirit of Fiji Islands (SOFI) is still working with underwriters, insurers and stakeholders on repairs for the vessel.
In doing so, the company has ‘cut back’ on its crew numbers because SOFI cannot operate due to damage caused in an incident near Koro.
However, the company confirmed that once it receives a confirmation on dry dock space in New Zealand, it will re-engage its crew members. They will take it to New Zealand for repairs.
Crew cut backs
“We have cut back our crew numbers based on the vessel given that it is not currently trading and is laid up in Suva harbour,” company managing director, Justin Smith said.
“We are currently maintaining the vessel with a smaller number of crew members pending our insurance submission and the availability of dock space in New Zealand.”
Last month, while on its way to Suva the ship sustained damage after it ran aground during bad weather in Koro.
But no rupturing of the hull plating of the vessel was witnessed he said.
“Since that incident our company has been working closely with our underwriters and insurers based in Melbourne Australia to finalise repair works to the vessel.”
Resorting overseas
With the extent of damage sustained to the ship underwater and the size of the vessel, repair works can only be done either in Australia or New Zealand.
“This is a complex undertaking, especially when factoring in the availability of yards in New Zealand at such short notice,” he said.
Mr Smith noted that the vessel has always been manned and is in compliance with the Maritime Safety regulations, certification and operational practice.
“However the current non-trading of the vessel pending confirmation of repair works in New Zealand has resulted in the reduced manning requirement for the vessel whilst we are awaiting this green light.
MV Spirit of Fiji Islands (SOFI). Photo: FILE