Overview
- The Blue Lagoon Cruises ship MV Fiji Princess grounded on a reef near Monuriki Island on Saturday during a seven-day cruise.
- All 30 passengers disembarked at first light by ferry and were taken to Port Denarau for hotel stays and activities arranged by the operator.
- The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji reported serious damage to the rear left side near the steering gear, plus engine failure and water ingress.
- The ship carried about 5,300 gallons of diesel, and teams removed pumpable fuel and oils as an Australian salvage specialist directed recovery while rough seas limited some checks.
- Officials are investigating the operator’s account that a sudden squall caused the anchor to drag, a case likely to draw more scrutiny to small-ship cruising in the region.