All maritime transport will be suspended from 6pm this evening until further notice.
National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) director Vasiti Soko confirmed this at a press conference today.
“MSAF has issued this release and members of the public are encouraged to look into maritime notice number five for details in this information,” Ms Soko said.
Marine Notice 05/2021
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES DURING TROPICAL CYCLONE
- All Ship Masters, Ship Owners & Ship Agents for foreign & local ships, Pilots, Port Management Companies/Operators, Marinas and Yacht Clubs are advised of the Tropical Cyclone Warning for the Fiji Group.
- Tropical Depression 05F [997HPA] was located near 15.6 South 170.5 East or about 780 kilometres west-northwest of Nadi at 0300 hours, Friday 29/01/21. TD05F is slow moving and is expected to track east then southeast towards Fiji in the next 24 to 48 hours. TD05F has a very high potential to intensify into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours.
- Due to damaging Gale Force winds expected throughout the country and high waves up to 6 to 7 metres (due initially at Yasawa Group), all Maritime transport involving passengers and cargoes is to cease from 1800 hours, Friday 29/01/21 (local time).
- In exercise of the powers conferred to me under Section 103A (5) of the Maritime Transport Act 2013, I hereby exempt ships from inward and outward clearances on the condition that ships do not carry any passengers and cargoes when going out to sea for the sole purpose of taking necessary precautionary measures during TD05F.
- TC Threat Track Map and other details can be accessed using the following link: https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=trackmap
- You are further reminded that the master has the final authority of the ship while in command and no person shall prevent or restrict the master of the ship from taking or executing any decision which, in the master’s professional judgement, is necessary for safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment.
For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, www.met.gov.fj.You can also visit the Fiji Meteorological Service official Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram for latest updates.
