Locals say the stretch of water where the RFNS Puamau ran aground is dangerous. (Supplied)© Provided by ABC News (AU)
Amission to salvage a boat that ran aground on its maiden voyage after Australia gifted it to Fiji has begun, with efforts underway to minimise any environmental impacts including a potential oil spill.
Fiji’s navy said on Saturday that favourable weather conditions would assist the recovery of RFNS Puamau, which hit a reef on Fiji’s remote Lau group of islands on Monday, during its first patrol.
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It said in a statement that Australia had sent specialised recovery equipment that would be used to extract the boat from the reef, with a second vessel set to transport the gear to the site.
“The Republic of Fiji Navy reaffirms its commitment to minimising environmental impact during the de-fuelling process now underway,” it said.
“Measures to mitigate a potential oil spill have been deployed, and navy divers and engineers on scene continue to monitor the situation.”
The crew of RFNS Puamau returned to Suva after being collected by another vessel, RFNS Savenaca, on Saturday morning.
There are no reports of injuries due to the grounding incident but the extent of the damage to the boat remains unclear.
The event is a major embarrassment for Fiji, which accepted the vessel at a ceremony in Perth in March.
The Guardian-class patrol boat is a popular choice with Pacific countries, with many using them to survey and protect vast marine zones.
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As part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program, 19 boats have been so far handed over to Pacific nations.
However, the Australian government has admitted the boats are flawed, with Pacific Minister Pat Conroy revealing the vessels have some defects including potential exhaust issues.
Two of the Guardian-class boats were destroyed by cyclones that hit Tuvalu last year.
Another boat was gifted to Samoa after another Guardian-class boat was damaged beyond repair there in 2021.