Fiji Sailors ''Up in Arms'' over new Law

by Nancy Knudsen on 8 Jan 2008 In the new Fiji budget announced in December, it was revealed that, effective immediately, the length of stay for visiting yachts is reduced from 12 months to three months. A three month extension may be possible 'at the discretion of the Minister'.

Until now, yachts were not only permitted to stay for 12 months, but could also have a six months extension. Some places in Fiji, such as Vuda Marina, on the west coast near to Lautoka, provided 'cyclone holes' for yachts who wanted to shelter there for the cyclone season.

With the sudden, and totally unexpected, change in the law just at the beginning of the cyclone season, when many owners could be expected to have left for their home ports until the next cruising season, this leaves these owners and their yachts with current contracts, and their contractors, up in the air about the future.

The marine industry which is greatly dependent on the presence of overseas yachts, also greatly disturbed by this threat to their livelihoods.

'Why this came about, nobody seems to know, ' said Brian Smith of well known Baobab Marine, 'but a lot of us in the industry have written in highlighting the serious repercussions to be faced and we hope to initiate a meeting with the relevant authorities quickly to discuss.'

'Our marina will be affected drastically with this,' said Milika Marshal of Vuda Marina, 'as this is our main source of revenue and the marina was built with visiting yachts in mind. To reduce the stay takes away the purpose of a cyclone storage facility as this is 6 months of the year alone in itself. We stand to lose thousands in dollars in repairs and maintenance alone, not including berthage and other associated costs.'

Together with Musket Cove Resort, Savusavu's Copra Shed Marine, Denarau Marina and many other associated contractors that will be directly affected by this call, the marina will actively pursue the return of the old rule.