Fiji authorities launch probe into patrol boat grounding

The government of Fiji and the Republic of Fiji Navy have begun an investigation into a recent grounding incident involving a naval patrol boat. The incident, which occurred on June 11, saw the patrol boat RFNS Puamau run aground on a reef in the Lau islands in the country's southeast.

The vessel's grounding occurred while it was conducting its maiden patrol and shortly after it completed safety and survival at sea training. Strong winds have been reported at the time of the incident, though navy officials have not yet disclosed details on the probable causes of the grounding.

Salvage work including the removal of the vessel's fuel will commence following a thorough assessment of the damage, the navy told local media. Aerial and surface surveillance have meanwhile confirmed that the grounding did not result in any oil spills.

Puamau is the first of a planned four Guardian-class patrol boats to be donated to Fiji by the government of Australia. The vessel arrived in Fiji in early May 2024 and was commissioned into service shortly afterwards.