NFD VESSEL RAMMED IN MAJURO

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BY FELIX LEVE
BARAVA FM NEWS

A Fishing Vessel owned by the National Fisheries Development (NFD) Ltd almost sank after being rammed by another fishing boat, whilst at anchorage in Majuro harbour.

The FV Solomon Sapphire licensed to fish in Kiribati waters was in Majuro to unload its catch on Sunday 16 June, when the incident occurred.
The Sapphire was said to be hit by Taiwanese fishing boat, Win Best 707.

The point of collision was on the starboard side towards the bow of the vessel, and the impact tilted the Sapphire to a critical angle on its port side, putting the vessel on the brink of capsizing.

Orders to abandon ship were issued, but the Sapphire righted itself. However the collision had caused part of its nets to fall into the sea.

Orders to stabilize the boat were given and visual checks conducted by the engineers below deck found no physical damage to the ship's structure.

The only damage sighted was a huge dent in the fore peak bow of the vessel.

NFD office in Noro in the Western Province is aware of the incident and had already sent an engineer to Majuro to assess the damage.

The MV Solomon Sapphire crew consists of seven Solomon Islanders, nine Filipinos, three Portugese, and one each from New Zealand, Panama and Dominican Republic.

Only the capitation of the FV Win Best 707 is believed to have been injured in the collision.

All crew members on board MV Sapphire were reported to be safe.

Ends///

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