Ferry services resume operation [1]
Thursday, February 15, 2018 - 19:55
Essential ferry services to the outer islands have resumed today after Tropical Cyclone Gita caused severe damage iin Tongatapu.
Mosese Fakatou, FISA CEO said today that the MV Tongiaki, a $8.3 million pa’anga aluminum catamaran and the MV Niuvakai were not damaged as they were moved and berthed inside the Vuna Wharf during the cyclone.
In addition, the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa was safe in Vava’u during the cyclone.
MV Tongiaki resumed service departing Nuku’alofa with around 100 plus passengers for Ha’apai this morning, continuing to Vava’u before returning to the capital on February 16.
The MV ‘Otuanga’ofa is expected to arrive in Nuku’alofa on February 16 having returned from Vava’u through its normal routes of Pangai, Ha’afeva and Nomuka.
MV Tongiaki will sail to the Niua next week.
However, the FISA office was damaged by the cyclone with part of the roof blown off.
Mosese said they returned to work at the office with no power supply.
"But we are looking at taking up any available space here at the wharf, whether at the Ports Authority for the time being so that our office is repaired. Apart from that we are back in service," he said.
Cruise ship cancelled
The Cruise Ship Arcadia that was scheduled to arrive Nuku’alofa on Friday 16 February was cancelled in the aftermath of Cyclone Gita. Latu Lui of Pacific Forum Line reported that the Arcadia was on its way from the US.
Boat harbour
In the Faua Whsrf boat harbour, Nuku'alofa several small fishing boats were swamped and sank at their moorings.
A local tanker the MV Phoenix88 grounded on the edge of the harbour crushing a small boat under its stern, after it broke free from its moorings on the other side of the boat harbour.