Six Fijians found clinging to planks of wood after 36 hours lost at sea

Six Fijian health workers have been rescued after a harrowing 36-hour ordeal adrift at sea. The group, traveling from Moce to Oneata in Fiji's Lau Province to deliver medical aid, experienced engine failure in rough conditions. Their fibreglass boat capsized, leaving them to rely on life jackets and buoyant debris.

Survivors clung to planks of wood that had served as the boat's seats, staying together in the open ocean. The captain of the vessel attempted to swim to a nearby island for help and was found 24 hours later by a dispatched search party. He relayed the location of the remaining survivors, who were then found by the crew of the Goundar Shipping Services vessel, Lomaiviti Princess 12.

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It was only when we were rescued onto the vessel that we realised how weak and helpless we truly were.

"It was only when we were rescued onto the vessel that we realised how weak and helpless we truly were," said assistant dental officer Viliame Sama. The rescue operation involved a multi-agency response, including the Fiji Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force. The crew of the Lomaiviti Princess 12, coincidentally captained by a former classmate of one of the survivors, located the group near a small island.

Goundar Shipping Services owner George Goundar commended his crew's professionalism. "Our crew once again demonstrated their commitment and expertise during what was a challenging situation," he stated. The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji emphasized the incident's reinforcement of maritime safety awareness and compliance.

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Our crew once again demonstrated their commitment and expertise during what was a challenging situation.