300 passengers safe, vessel will arrive on schedule: Goundar

The owner of the Lomaiviti Princess V has given assurance that more than 300 passengers on board the vessel will arrive today at Port Mua-i-Walu safely in Suva. The vessel had taken in water on its way to Suva from Savusavu on Sunday night, but the problem had been fixed by workers on the vessel.

The vessel belongs to Goundar Shipping Services.

When the Fiji Sun contacted the company’s managing director, George Goundar, he confirmed that all passengers were safe.

He added that passengers would arrive at Port Mua-i-Walu as scheduled today at 6am. This incident was confirmed by Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro yesterday.

“We had received a call through 919 on Sunday night from a parent, who said he received a call from his daughter that the vessel had taken in water,” Ms Naisoro said.

Ana Naisoro Police spokesperson

“We liaised with the Navy Operations Centre and contacted the crew who said they were heading back to Savusavu.

“According to initial information, a door on the lower deck opened because of rough seas. “A few vehicles were damaged, but no casualities recorded,” Ms Naisoro said.

Edited by Percy Kean