Cruise Ship Hits Reef Near Survivor Island Days Before Start of Season

2 days ago 8

Days before season 51 of Survivor is set to begin filming, a Blue Lagoon Cruises ship ran aground on one of the islands in Fiji where the CBS competition series has filmed since 2016.

‘Survivor 50’ Blood Moon Twist Leads to Historic Triple Elimination

Fortunately, these cruise passengers didn’t have to outwit, outplay and outlast each other.

A cruise ship from Blue Lagoon Cruises carrying 30 passengers and 31 crew members struck a reef April 4 near Monuriki Island in Fiji, one of the islands where Survivor is scheduled to begin filming season 51 April 15, according to the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF). Luckily, all passengers and crew members were “safely transferred from the vessel” after the Fiji Princess ship was grounded, per MSAF.

Following the incident, Blue Lagoon Cruises confirmed the vessel would be retired and explained how it ran aground.

“The ship, which has been part of the Blue Lagoon Cruises fleet for more than 22 years, dragged whilst at anchor during a severe weather event and as a result grounded on a nearby reef,” the company shared in an April 12 statement on Facebook. “All guests and crew safely disembarked.”

The organization added in an April 13 statement, “The unfortunate timing of Tropical Cyclone Vaianu prevented any possibility of safely refloating Fiji Princess after the grounding incident on the 4th of April. The ship then sustained further damage during the cyclone, and this ultimately led to the ship's retirement.”

Blue Lagoon Cruises also confirmed that the ship is still at Monuriki Island, noting, “The process to remove the ship is currently expected to take anywhere from 1 - 3 months.”

CBS

After years of Survivor filming in various locations around the world, the CBS competition series made Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands—which includes Monuriki Island—its permanent filming location in 2016.

In addition to serving as the show’s “Edge of Extinction” location, Monuriki was also the setting of Tom Hanks’ 2000 film Cast Away.

The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji confirmed April 13 that Survivor is scheduled to begin filming April 15 and run through July 3.

Before learning more about season 51, read on to see who is competing on Survivor’s milestone 50th season.

Robert Voets/CBS

Mike White

Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)

Jeffrey Neira/CBS

Cirie Fields

Seasons 12 (PANAMA-EXILE ISLAND), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)

Robert Voets/CBS

Ozzy Lusth

Seasons 13 (COOK ISLANDS), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)