Salvage crews in Fiji are working to prevent an oil spill after a small size cruise ship grounded at Monuriki Island in the Malolo Group. Efforts are now focused on removing fuel and oil from the grounded ship, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) said.

The vessel ran aground on April 4, prompting an immediate response from MSAF, which deployed officers to the site on Saturday.

At the time of the incident, there were 30 passengers and 31 crew members onboard. All 30 passengers were safely transferred from the vessel and brought back to Port Denarau, along with 17 crew members. The remaining crew stayed onboard initially to assist with the response.

MSAF had taken oil spill response equipment to the area as a precaution. However, due to the rough sea conditions, it was not safe or effective to put the equipment into the water immediately.

On Monday, April 6 the fuel transfer operation from the vessel was successfully completed as part of efforts to reduce any potential risk of pollution to the marine environment.

Authorities confirmed on April 7 that approximately 23,000 litres of fuel were removed from the grounded vessel.

A salvage support vessel later departed the site following the completion of the fuel transfer operation. MSAF said its oil spill response booms remain with the support vessel as a precaution.

The crew of the ship were also safely transferred onto a sister vessel and departed the area bound for Port Denarau.

“Further work to recover the vessel will begin once weather and sea conditions improve and it is safe to proceed,” the authority said. “MSAF remains focused on the safety of all personnel, the protection of Fiji’s marine environment, and ensuring that all recovery efforts are carried out safely,” it added.