YACHT owners who visited Lautoka wharf last year have revealed in a national survey they did not enjoy passing through the Queen Elizabeth Wharf.
In the 2012 Fiji Marine Industry Survey conducted by the Port Denarau Marina, yacht owners cited the wharf as dirty, that it had inconvenient clearance by authorities and that their yachts suffered damage while trying to leave the wharf.
In response, Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd ports operations general manager Eminoni Kurusiga said the wharf did not have facilities for yachts.
"The Lautoka wharf was not built for yachts," said Mr Kurusiga.
Lautoka Chamber of Commerce and Industries administrator Mohammed Salim said although the chamber had not received complaints about the wharf, efforts were being made to improve it.
"We are working on improving the facility," he said.
In the survey, more than 150 yacht owners were asked "what was the worst part of your trip to Fiji?"
In response, more than 50 raised issues about the wharf. "Having to clear out of Lautoka required a half-a-day trip windward.
"Dirty, industrial anchorage and our boat became filthy in less than 12 hours," a respondent said.
Another participant simply stated Lautoka was the worst part of their trip.