A former Stornoway ferry has sunk sparking a major rescue operation.
The 41-
All crew were rescued after the accident just outside Suva Harbour, understood to have occurred around 4pm Tuesday afternoon (in the early hours of Tuesday morning, UK time).
The Fijian Navy despatched a patrol boat while the harbour’s tug boats sped to the stricken vessel, saving people on board.
The fire service, police, medical services and other emergency response units have also been involved.
Radio Fiji reports all 31 crew members are safe. They were given first aid by medics and volunteers.
It is understood no passengers were onboard the Suilven which has retained her old
name. She has operated a freight-
The broadcaster said the vessel was sailing into Suva when it started listing.
Later, the ferry started sinking and was completely underwater within an hour.
The Suilven’s present owner, Ben Naidu of Venu Shipping, saved the aging vessel from the scrap yard in 2012.
Before that, the former Caledonian Macbrayne ship served eight years with Blighwater Shipping in the Fiji islands.
The 87-
For two decades prior to that she sailed the Minch and was the largest ship in the Caledonian Macbrayne fleet when introduced in 1975 to replace the old MV Clansman. At the time, Ullapool also superseded Kyle as the mainland destination port for Lewis passengers.
Former island ferry sinks
24 November 2015