Wong: we will travel to Fiji to bring the vessel over
IT’S now confirmed that the ship that run aground in Fiji on its way to Solomon Islands from Tonga was the vessel purchased for Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) Constituency.
Managing Director of Oceanic Marine Albert Wong, who facilitated the purchase, confirmed this to the Solomon Star on Wednesday.
And he said he will board the next available flight to Fiji to salvage the ship and bring it over to Honiara.
The ship ran aground two weeks ago on a reef at Kadavu.
“I and my team will likely fly over this weekend to Fiji to salvage the vessel and bring it over to the people of Malaita Outer Islands,” Mr Wong said.
“I am sorry about the unexpected incident, but I wish to assure the people of MOI that we will do all we can to get their vessel over,” he added.
MOI constituency secured $5 million under the government’s shipping grant for the purchase of its ship.
Mr Wong could not divulge the cost of the vessel.
The ship, MV Sitka, is owned by an Australian businessman but it has been serving the remote islands of Tonga over the past years.
The crew on board the vessel when it ran aground were all Tongans. It’s understood they’ve returned home from Fiji after the incident.
Mr Wong said the first job they need to do to salve the ship is to empty its fuel because it’s dangerous to the environment.
He said the incident was caused by bad weather and some mechanical problems.
“It’s a kind of incident that normally happens to ships while out at sea, just like the Fijian patrol boat that ended up on a reef some two weeks ago,” he added.
Mr Wong said the ship has been insured so they will be working with the insurance company on how to deal with the problem.
“I understand how MOI people feel after the incident. I am also affected too, and have been having sleepless nights since I learned of the problem.”
By AATAI JOHN