OWNERS of vessels that ran aground during Cyclone Mick will need to report to maritime authorities before entering other local or overseas ports.
In the Western Division, two reports of vessels that ran aground at the height of the tropical cyclone on December 14 were made to the Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration office in Lautoka.
Principal marine officer (Western) Captain Ponipate Cagi said the Captain Cook cruise ship, Reef Escape which was beached at Naviti in Yasawa and a tug named Tug 23, and a barge, which were still grounded on a reef near the Vuda Marina in Lautoka.
He said a report had been received from the Reef Escape owners but they had been unable to contact the owners of Tug 23.
He said in the absence of a report, FIMSA would not issue the tug and barge a clearance. "This means they can't enter any port in Fiji or overseas because they will be asked for clearance documents at the next port. They also face the possibility of having their vessels impounded," he said.
Capt Cagi said marine checkers were stationed at Vuda, Denarau and Rakiraki.
"The owners will have to report to us. From the information received, the owners of Tug 23 have been in the country before the cyclone. Only the tug boat is afloat but the barge is grounded on the reef," he said.