This Notice serves as a strict reminder to all ship masters and operators navigating within Fiji waters, whether aboard a Fiji ship or a foreign ship, pursuant to provisions of the Maritime Transport Act 2013 with its Regulations, on the requirements for notification and reporting of incidents/mishaps/accidents involving ships:
- The master of a Fiji ship or a foreign ship in Fiji waters which is involved in a mishap, an accident, or an incident, shall notify the accident, incident or mishap to the Authority as soon as practicable.
If, due to injuries or death or for other good reason, the master of a ship is unable to give the subject notice mentioned above, the operator/owner of the ship shall provide the notice. - Any person who—
(a) operates, maintains, or services, or does any other act in respect of any Fiji ship, any foreign ship in Fiji waters, or any maritime equipment; an
(b) is involved in an accident, incident or mishap, involving a Fiji ship, or a foreign ship in Fiji waters—shall, where required to do so under maritime Regulations, notify the accident, incident or mishap to the Authority as soon as practicable.
Any person who fails to comply with these requirements commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000. - The master and owner of any ship above 15m, registered in Fiji or a foreign vessel within Fiji waters, upon encountering a mishap, accident, incident, or emergency is required to promptly report such event to MSAF using the incident reporting form SUR 9 provided under the Schedule to the Fiji (Fiji Maritime Code) Regulations 2014 [attached]. Reporting must be made within 24 hours for a ship within port or within 24 hours of reaching port for a ship on first arrival from being out at sea.
- The master of any ship 15m and below, registered in Fiji or a foreign vessel within Fijian territorial waters, upon encountering a mishap, accident, incident, or emergency is required to promptly report such event to MSAF within 48 hours of its occurrence.
- Failure to adhere to the above mentioned notification requirements constitutes an offence under the prevailing maritime laws and may be subject to further legal consequences.
Furthermore, it is incumbent upon ship masters, operators to communicate any such accidents, incidents, or mishaps, and emergencies directly to MSAF via the designated email address: incident@msaf.com.fj and phone contact on 7706 331. For further inquiries or clarifications, please contact the Manager Sips Inspection, Mr Sesoni Komaisoso, on +(679) 7706 401 or via email on skomaisoso@msaf.com.fj.
JOSEPH WILLIAME
For CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji
25th March 2024
