COVID-19 Delays RFNS Savenaca’s Departure
The departure of the new naval vessel RFNS Savenaca from Australia may be deferred due to COVID-19.
This was confirmed by Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division Operations officer Lieutenant Commander Timoci Natuva (Junior). Lieutenant Commander Natuva said RFNS Savenaca is currently in Queensland, Australia.
“RFNS Savenaca is currently in Cairns to do some minor maintenance,” Lieutenant Commander Natuva said.
“The naval officers have been on board RFNS Savenaca since it departed Perth.
“It has not been confirmed if they will leave for Fiji on Wednesday (today).”
He said the naval officers would follow all the procedures by the Ministry of Health when they arrive in Fiji. “They will have to be quarantined when they arrive in Fiji which means once they are said to be safe from COVID-19 then they will be allowed to come on land,” he said.
“They have been following everything even when they are in Australia. They have not even stepped foot on the port. In some way they are already in quarantine.”
A Fijian in Cairns, Vilimone Baleilevuka said the Fijian community had welcomed the crew with a sevusevu.
They arrived
Saturday. in
Cairns last
“As we are facing hard times in regards to COVID19 restrictions, the crew did not leaving the vessel. “They are happy, looking good and healthy. It is a normal tradition for our Fiji community in Cairns to greet them with a sevusevu and the Queensland traditional BBQ.”
The ship is named in honour of
Savenaca Naulumatua from Yasawa, who was a member of the Fiji Naval Volunteer Force; during World War II he was part of HMNZS Leander’s crew that was hit by a Japanese torpedo at the Battle of Kolombangara in July 1943.