Full marks to the RFMF, its Commander, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, and the head of the Navy, Commodore Humphrey Tawake, for their speedy inquiry into the cause of the grounding of RFNS Puamau in Lau last month.
They have done what the Coalition government invariably fails to do – face up to their responsibility for a failure and report back to the Fijian people with honesty and candour.
The finding that the blame for the grounding rests with the ship’s commanding officer and crew lays to rest a great deal of static in the wake of a national embarrassment trying to pin the blame on other factors.
In these columns, we had dollops of disinformation, blaming the disaster on design faults with the new vessel and even trying to blame it on the Australians who donated the Puamau to Fiji to bolster our contribution to regional security. One story had it that it was an Australian advisor who was on the bridge and ran the vessel onto Fulaga Reef.
Now that blame has been properly apportioned, we can move on in the knowledge that disciplinary proceedings will bring those responsible to account. But the lesson from all of this is that honesty is the best policy. Yes, the Fiji Navy has been found to be all at sea as a credible instrument of defence but a coverup would have made things much worse.
We look forward to further disclosures about unconfirmed reports that the Puamau and other Navy crews have been assisting local villagers to extract qoliqoli payments from passing yachtsman. Because if this is true, the breakdown in discipline is just as egregious as running the pride of the Navy onto a reef.
If I was from the Puamau family I would demand that the government straightaway removes that name altogether.
Names are bestowed with respect.
Respect for vanua and the people must remain at all times.
This government and the crooks at the Navy and the army have no self respect and discipline.
Apologise to the family that gifted that name and take their name off.
That is my two cents worth.’
Oi. It was Frank Bainimarama as PM who suggested that name. The new naval Maritime Services Centre (MSC) being built by Australia at Lami is also to be titled ‘RFNS Bainimarama’.
That name was suggested by CDRE Humpty Tawake and it was reported that Frankie B. was ‘pleased to accept’.
How did the RFMF sully the Puamau name? The Puamau family were invited to the commissioning ceremony in Suva where they gave their blessings to the ship and crew. The ship was successfully salvaged and proper disciplinary processes are in train. Come out of your cave bro !
They did really well with the RFNS Puamau didn’t they Vili? They actually need to be rewarded, don’t you think instead of being disciplined?
“Come out of your cave bro” – People living in glass houses should not throw stones.
Agree- silly billy re: his cave mentality. The truth is we’ve sunk so low morally that we now need to praise any govt official telling the truth.
In the rest of the world, truth is normal, expected, and taken for granted even.
Here however, the truth is as rare as a hens teeth so special kudos to rfmf. One can hope we’ve been told the whole truth and the ‘disciplinary train’ billy mentions does not run aground too.
No. I did not say that. I just said that the Puamau family gave their blessings in the naming of the ship which now has been salvaged. They are the indisputable facts. Stop smoking that stuff bro coz its messing with your brain.
I believe the Commanding Officer of RFNS Puamau deserves a promotion. That is what happens in Fiji, I gather. The more dodgy you are the more qualified you are for a promotion. Just look at the judiciary and a whole heap of other appointments by this government. Maybe he should be given a diplomatic posting for his efforts.
Please don’t any country give us any Helicopters or Hercules type military aircraft. The inevitable crash landing if over populated areas would have disastrous consequences.
On the matter of negligence by govt personnel:
The Guardian Glass vessel was valued at $18M.
I suspect the value of govt vehicles damage repair bill or written off annual cost would amount to a significant amount. Driver negligence most of the time?? The people of Fiji know who is at fault. The insurance underwriters who don’t want the govt contract would know as well!
I tend to think, sadly, that it’s a cultural trait in Fiji to be provided with detailed, supportive training, refresher courses and reminders of how to perform a role or operate equipment……and then “but I know a better way” thinking prevails. Even with regards to ignoring support, information and wisdom from other countries about democratic and judicial systems – other nations with decades of experience – because “I know a better way.” “I know a better way” gets in the way of a solid work ethic and the country’s productivity. This same simplistic xenophobic and insular (perhaps tribal) thinking has driven away the expertise of Expats and other highly educated vulagi. “But I know a better way” ran a ship onto a reef, and as Graham has already pointed out is also sinking Fiji.
I heard these Military and Navy personal love conned palm beef and dalo.
All provided free by the courtesy of Fiji tax payers.
After some kava and favorite food,they all were snoring until the ship ran on the reef.
“Caita,sa leqa na waqa” someone yelled out.
Beyond RFMF Investigations, would be interesting to see Insurers response towards liability Claims for wreck removal/salvage and potential compensation from surrounding Islands
These is a example of sea mishap
It can happen to any vessel
A bit of carelessness can put life at risk
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/07/10/aratere-ran-aground-after-a-button-was-inadvertently-pressed/
So the grounding of the RFNS Puamau was ok then. Shit happens.
What about the election by Fjinas of a crackpot and dinosaur from 37 years ago to change things in Fiji. Was that an accident or was that just because Fijians are all idiots?
My understanding is that they weren’t using the state of the art navigation systems, because they knew a better way. It wasn’t a can happen to anyone situation….more of an Only in Fiji situation.
There are also reports that the captain’s mother was in the nearest village on Fulaga and a magiti awaited him and the crew. So passing through the reef wasn’t mission critical but personal. More of an “only in Fiji” situation.
So all blame falls on the captain, what abt his superiors, surely they are responsible for quality control snd compliance. Something smells here of a cover up.
What happened to that age-old principle: “the buck stops here?”
Hello, Humphrey Tawake, are you listening?
Big time cover-up. Poor CO is the fallguy. Anyone taken a look at the boat yet? Or have they already chopped it up and sold it off to China for recycling.?
Mehhh…
The Captain has the overall responsibility for the vessel, navigation, crew, passengers, cargo, safety etc so ‘the buck does stop’ with the Captain. It has been this way forever.
The whole government is a waka that has sunk. Period
@ Jason
It’s “waqa”, not waka, although waka is partially responsible for the sinking government. 🙂
It’s the fault of the reef. If it wasn’t there the magiti would have gone ahead. No Reef No Shipwreck.
Nothing to do with the person in command on the bridge.
Inquiry over.
So do we know what exactly the BOI recommendations were?
May it be posted up here please?
And how does this all affect the Commanding Officer and his team responsible for the incident? Hope the BOI report is not going to be quietly shelved to gather dust…