Young seafarer loses foot in shocking berthing mishap

Young seafarer loses foot in shocking berthing mishap
Inoke rabonu 02 Apr 2025 https://fijisun.com.fj/2025/04/02/young-seafarer-loses-foot-in-shocking-...

A young seafarer of the Lomaiviti Princess 11 is now pondering on his future after a horrific accident has cost him his foot.

Samisoni Dauloloma, 23, a second- year student at Fiji Maritime Academy, had only been working for Goundar Shipping for a month when a massive metal ram used in the berthing process crashed down onto his foot, crushing it beyond repair.

Doctors had no choice but to amputate the limb, with fears the procedure may need to be extended higher.

The tragedy unfolded around 7am on Sunday as the vessel was docking at Natovi Landing from Levuka.

Mr Dauloloma and a Filipino crew member were attempting to secure the flaps to tie the boat when disaster struck.

“We tried once and failed, so we attempted again. That’s when the ram suddenly dropped, crushing my foot,” he recalled.

With no proper communication between crew members, Mr Dauloloma claims the operator controlling the ram had no direct oversight or warning of what was happening.

“There was no one guiding him. No one monitoring him. When it fell, it smashed my foot completely,” he said.

“The pain was unbearable. My boots filled with blood. It was terrifying.”

He was pulled from beneath the ram by the ship’s engineer as onlookers rushed to help.

A passenger drove him to the hospital in Korovou, where his leg was amputated.

Despite the severity of the accident, Mr Dauloloma claims no one from Goundar Shipping has reached out to him or his family.

“Not a single call. Nothing. A passenger had to inform my family about what happened. It’s as if they don’t care,” he said.

Probe underway

The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has launched an investigation into the incident, with chief executive officer Joeli Cawaki stating that the accident could have been avoided.

“The ram, a heavy object, fell unexpectedly. This raises serious safety concerns. Our investigation will determine what went wrong,” Mr Cawaki said, adding that a full report would be completed within two weeks.

As the probe continues, Mr Dauloloma’s family is demanding accountability, outraged by the shipping company’s silence.

His uncle, Inoke Katia, condemned the lack of support.

“The company never contacted us. We found out through a passenger. My nephew was in the operating theatre until 2am, and still, no one from Goundar Shipping reached out,” he said.

Goundar shipping responds

Goundar Shipping director George Goundar gave a brief response, saying the company would await the outcome of the MSAF investigation.

“We’ve submitted a report. MSAF is handling it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Dauloloma, a second-year student at Fiji Maritime Academy, now faces an uncertain future, his dream of a maritime career shattered.