12 Jan 2017

Solomons investigating three vessels running aground

4:10 pm on 12 January 2017

Maritime safety authorities in Solomon Islands are investigating three incidents of vessels running aground during the festive season.

The MV Nautabu ran aground on a reef in Choiseul Province and the MV Victory and MV Tafusibata ran aground in Malaita Province.

Point Cruz Wharf in Honiara

A ship being loaded with goods bound for the provinces at the Point Cruz Wharf in Honiara. Photo: RNZI/ Koroi Hawkins

The head of Maritime Safety's "operation safe boat" Derek Saru told the newspaper, the Solomon Star, there have been no fatalities reported.

Mr Saru said some of the vessels did not immediately report their running aground to the agency which was in direct violation of safety regulations.

He said an inspection of the MV Nautabu found there was no major damage to the vessel.

It managed to get off the reef it hit and sail back to Honiara after offloading all of its cargo and its 220 passengers.

He said a similar inspection will be carried out on the two other vessels once they return to the capital.

Mr Saru says he is cautioning all captains to report immediately to SIMSA if they are facing problems at sea for the safety of passengers.