The two foreign vessels used by 50 Vietnamese fishermen who were caught fishing illegally in PNG waters in December 2016 are yet to be destroyed.
The destruction of the vessels was ordered by the Bomana District Court after the boats were caught fishing illegally off Budibidi Island, Milne Bay Province, on December 22.
The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is in charge of the destruction operation, planned to be carried out by the PNGDF Navy's explosive ordinance and diving team.
It’s been over a week since the initial destruction operation failed to push through due to bad weather.
The boats were towed out of Fairfax Harbour on Monday, June 12, by the PNG Defence Force Navy vessel, HMPNGS Buna, to a sinking site outside Port Moresby.
However, due to bad weather, they were left on a reef off the coast of Fisherman Island.
A team consisting of naval personnel, fisheries officers and external clients, Pacific Towing service, was sent out the next day to do a preliminary assessment of the situation.
The assessment team reported last week that locals went on board and stripped off timber, making it difficult for towing.
Fisheries officer Mark Bangkoma revealed that they are still waiting for a full assessment report from the Pacific Towing service that was engaged to carry out assessment on the state of the vessels.
He said at the moment they cannot do much.
“Fisheries officers have been going every day to the site where the boats are to keep watch on them.
“One of the boats has floated over to the other side of the reef due to the strong currents.”
Bangkoma said the assessment has been done however, a report is yet to be given to NFA.
“We will make a decision on when and how to dispose the vessels when we receive the report.”
Bangkoma added that they will seek advice from the district court on what to do next if the current situation makes it difficult for them to dispose the vessels.