Passengers and crew were evacuated from the cruise vessel Fiji Princess after it grounded on a reef off a remote island in Fiji following a sudden squall.
The incident occurred on April 4 while the vessel was at anchor in calm conditions. A rapid weather shift caused the ship to drag anchor and drift onto a nearby reef, where it sustained structural damage and developed a noticeable port-side list.
The grounding took place off an uninhabited island known for its role as a filming location for the 2000 movie Cast Away, where a lone survivor is stranded after a plane crash. The coincidence added an unusual backdrop to what quickly became a real-life evacuation scenario.
According to local maritime authorities, the hull of MV Fiji Princess was breached near the stern, close to the steering compartment, leading to water ingress. The vessel remained firmly aground, complicating initial response efforts.
All 30 passengers and 17 crew members were safely evacuated at first light and transferred by ferry to Port Denarau. No injuries have been reported.
The vessel, a 55-metre cruise ship built in 1998, operates short expedition-style voyages across the Fijian islands with a capacity of up to 64 passengers.
Authorities identified approximately 20,000 litres of diesel fuel onboard as a primary environmental risk. While no leakage has been detected, containment measures have been deployed as a precaution.
Salvage operations have been initiated, with a specialist team mobilised from Australia. However, deteriorating weather conditions and rough seas have delayed underwater inspections of the hull. A tropical storm approaching the region has further complicated the response, prompting the temporary evacuation of remaining crew for safety reasons.
The incident highlights the operational risks associated with anchoring near reef systems in tropical regions, particularly under rapidly changing weather conditions.
