MSAF Works on Restoring Floating Navigation Devices
Mariners who travel frequently to the Lomaiviti Group can now navigate easily and safely around the Natubari passage.
This was after the restoration of a floating marine aid to navigate at the Natubari entrance in the Levuka Harbour.
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) Manager Ships Inspection Captain Sesoni Komaisoso said the floating device had been damaged during Tropical Cyclone Ana in
February 2021.
He added that TC Ana had caused significant damages to most aids to navigation devices around Fiji.
“Deployment of this navigation light-buoy will significantly contribute to the safety of mariners particularly inter-island passenger ships, fishing boats/vessels, government ships, sailing yachts, naval ships and other ships including the protection of Fiji’s pristine marine environment,” he said.
“The marine aids to navigation will guide mariners in their approaches to the main port of entry and other berthing facilities in and
around the Levuka Harbour.
A new low-maintenance polyethylene Ocean Navigation Buoy with state-of-the-art self-contained Solar LED Marine Lantern with proven operability was installed a week ago at Natubari Passage.
Captain Komaisoso said the project was another significant step by MSAF to progress Fiji’s Aids to Navigation system to better comply with the International Marine Aids to Navigation & Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) ‘Region A’ standard.
He said MSAF will be working closely with relevant agencies in restoring key Aids to Navigation
devices as part of its restoration programme for Fiji’s AtoN network.