Cruise ship caught on reef off tiny Fiji island where Cast Away filmed | Fiji
Salvage crews in Fiji are working to stop an oil spill after a cruise ship ran aground off the island on which the 2000 Tom Hanks movie Cast Away was filmed.
The Blue Lagoon Cruises vessel Fiji Princess grounded at a reef close to the uninhabited Monuriki Island on Saturday, in accordance with Fiji’s maritime rescue company.
All 30 passengers and 17 of its 31 crew have been taken off the vessel the identical day. There have been no accidents reported.
The firm has been contacted for remark.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (Msaf) stated its officers had arrived to evaluate the broken ship on Saturday.
“Initial checks confirmed that the vessel has suffered serious damage to its rear left side, including the area where the steering equipment is located. Part of the vessel underneath has also been damaged,” a spokesperson stated.
“The vessel also experienced engine failure and was reported to be taking in water following the grounding. Due to rough seas and strong waves, officers were unable to safely inspect the vessel underwater at the time.”
An Msaf spokesperson stated the primary precedence on Monday was to cut back the danger of air pollution.
The vessel was carrying about 20,000 liters of diesel gas. The spokesperson stated authorities had taken oil spill gear to the world “as a precaution” however that the ocean situations have been too tough for it for use.
“At the time of inspection, there were no signs that the fuel tanks had been damaged,” the spokesperson stated.
Salvage groups have been working to take away the gas and oil from the vessel, with the help of a salvage specialist from Australia.
Once the climate improved, additional work would start to recuperate the vessel safely, the spokesperson stated.
“Msaf’s main concern at this time is the safety of all personnel, the protection of Fiji’s marine environment, and ensuring that response efforts continue safely,” they stated.
“Msaf will continue to work closely with the vessel operator and all response teams, and will provide further updates as necessary.”
Monuriki Island, about 45km west of town of Nadi, was the filming location for the 2000 movie Cast Away. It is a part of the Mamanuca Island chain, on which the US model of actuality present Survivor has been filmed since 2016.
Blue Lagoon Cruises advertises the Fiji Princess as being sufficiently small to “get so close to shore that we can tie off to a coconut tree, and you can swim to the beach.”
Evacuated passengers and crew have been taken again to Port Denarau.
The remaining crew have been aiding salvage efforts, and have been being berthed on Fiji Princess’s sister ship, Cougar, for security causes.
