Blaze engulfs fishing boat

A fishing vessel named "DAE JIN" caught fire in Suva Harbor on Wednesday evening, with all 12 crew members, including those of Chinese and Indonesian nationality, successfully escaping. At the time of the incident, the fishing vessel was docked in the harbor, adjacent to other vessels.

Joweli Cawaki, the Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), confirmed the incident. He stated that the fire started and spread from the fishing vessel's engine room while the vessel was berthed in the harbor. It is reported that the crew and port team attempted to extinguish the fire, but the flames quickly spread from within the engine room.

Mr. Cawaki further explained that the port authority immediately alerted Fijian vessels and dispatched tugboats to tow the burning fishing vessel away from the harbor. "The best option at the time was not to extinguish the fire, but to tow the vessel away." As of noon today, the vessel's engine room was still burning.

As the flag state authority for the vessel, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) will launch an investigation into the cause of the fire. Simultaneously, the port authority will also conduct an independent investigation, as the incident occurred within the port area. While there were no fatalities, some crew members were injured and have been sent to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Mr. Cawaki emphasized the importance of vessels to seafarers, calling them "their home, their workplace, and their source of income for them and their families." The fishing vessel, built in 2001 and registered under Service Marine Ltd., is still emitting thick smoke offshore under the continuous monitoring of the authorities.