By RACHNA LAL and RANOBA BAOA
After being out of service for almost two years, Venue Shipping’s MV Suilven will start providing services from next week Friday.
Venue Shipping owner, Ben Naidu, confirmed this to the Fiji Sun yesterday.
Mr Naidu said a “significant” amount had been invested in the refurbishment of the vessel to get it up-to-speed and start servicing.
MV Suilven’s route will be Suva-Savusavu-Taveuni-Savusavu-Suva route.
Those interested to buy tickets can do so at Venu Shipping’s office in Laucala Beach or call 3395000.
Venu Shipping will also be soon establishing its own office in Savusavu, Labasa and Taveuni.
The reentry of MV Suilven is expected to therefore create up to 60 full-time employment.
Sea trial success
Mr Naidu said the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) successfully conducted MV Suilven’s sea trial this week.
“The sea trial was conducted this week with three MSAF surveyors where they took us through a very stringent test. They took this boat to its max and she performed well,” he said.
Mr Naidu said following the survey, MV Suilven has been given a 48-month survey system on a six monthly service basis.
Milestone achieved
Mr Naidu said a milestone was created when they successfully docked MV Suilven on the IMEL Naiqasiqasi dock a few weeks ago.
This was the first time a vessel of such a size had been put up on IMEL’s floating dry dock.
“The high integrity of this vessel is in excellent condition; we never did any hard work in the bottom of this boat,” he said.
“Her thickness is genuinely maintained, too good to believe.
“We did overalls on the main engine and we did a lot of works on the electronics of the engine.
“This boat is run in operation by three systems: the pneumatics, electronics and hydraulics. We had to work and rectify and install new parts.”
Adhering to public demand
Mr Naidu said they would be servicing the Savusavu and Taveuni route as there had been an outcry from the public on the services for this route.
“This had been going on for the last six months but my hands and legs have been tied up and I could not do much because we hadn’t surveyed this vessel,” he said.
“Once we surveyed this vessel, we’ve got her out of the waters, we did whatever works that was needed to be done then I knew we were set to go.”
After Consort Shipping’s MV SOFI went out of service after running aground a reef in Koro, Goundar Shipping’s MV Lomaiviti Princess I was the only vessel servicing this route.
Venu Shipping already has Sinu-i-Wasa Tolu which does Suva-Levuka direct and Sinu-i-Wasa does Suva-Vunisea-Kavala-Suva once a week.
Venu Shipping owner, Ben Naidu (right) with his son, Ben Naidu Junior, on board MV Suilven’s economy class yesterday. Photo: RACHNA LAL