Successful Rescue Operations

Great news as the three men and a 4-year old child from Cikobia who were reported missing at sea after they failed to reach their destination have in the last hour reached land safely.

The Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho has acknowledged the joint efforts coordinated by the Rescue Coordination Center Fiji and all stakeholders involved in the successful rescue efforts.

Coordination efforts by the Rescue Coordination Centre, Fiji Police, Republic Of Fiji Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Northern Air Fiji managed to locate the four drifting 300km away from Kia Island.

The Commissioner has thanked the Director of Cruise Holdings Mr Sal Douglas the owner of the MV Bandicoot involved in the rescue of the four.

Sharing their experiences, they stated that their engine developed problems due to a blockage in fuel supply and relied on vegetables and a bottle of water which was shared amongst them.

They said once they were located by the aerial team, the aircraft stayed guard over them and dropped food supplies and emergency kits while they waited for the rescue team.

Brigadier General Qiliho said the four arrived safely this morning and have been taken for medical treatment at the Labasa Hospital while their fiberglass boat has been towed to the Northern Division WATERPOL base He added it’s a great Sunday for the family of the four and all stakeholders involved.