Tonga's domestic ferry the  MV 'Otuanga'ofa hit a rock and its bow grounded at the Pasivulangi Harbour, Niuatoputapu yesterday evening, before freeing itself.

The CEO for the Friendly Island Shipping Agency FISA, Vakautapola Vi said that the ferry was navigating its way through a channel out of the Pasivulangi Harbour when the incident happened.

He said that it took about 10 minutes for the ferry to pull itself off the rock before it returned to shore and underwent tests to make sure that there were no damage to its double-hulled tanks.

The MV 'Otuanga'ofa was cleared to leave, and set sail for Niuafo'ou early this morning at 6:55am.

Our source on the ground at Hihifo, Niuatoputapu, said that most of the passengers who were on-board were members of the Chiefly Church of Tonga and the Free Church of Tonga who were on their way to attend the annual conferences of the churches in Nuku'alofa.

The MV 'Otuanga'ofa was scheduled to arrive in Niuafo'ou at 4:30pm today, 1 May, and then continue on to Vava'u. It is now expected to arrive in Neiafu, Vava'u at 7pm, Friday, then return to Nuku'alofa port on Saturday evening, 3 May. It is run by the Friendly Island Shipping Agency (FISA).