Fijian Navy Ship, Bought With Australian Help, Runs Aground a Month Later

A $20 million (US$13.2 million) patrol ship gifted by Australia has been run aground by the Fijian Navy just a month after it was commissioned.

The RFNS Puamau, which has run aground on a reef near Fulaga Island. Courtesy Fiji Ministry of Home Affairs

The Republic of Fiji Navy Ship (RFNS) Puamau—gifted by the Australian government and commissioned just a month ago—has run aground on a reef near Fulaga Island.

A second patrol boat, RFNS Savenaca, was immediately sent to the scene, and all the crew was rescued.