Shipwrecks cleared from waterfront [1]
Friday, March 20, 2015 - 18:34. Updated on Friday, March 20, 2015 - 18:44.
Four shipwrecks have been cleared from Tongatapu reefs as part of an ongoing cleaning operation starting last month.
On the Nuku'alofa waterfront the wrecks of the MV Waimanu and MV Marie Princess were dismantled and sunk on 21 February.
The wrecks of the MV Takuo and MV Toko 5, located approximately 30 miles at the north north east of ‘Ata’ata Island were removed on 28 February.
The ships were wrecked during storms and have been stuck on the reef for years.
Mosese Lavemai, General Manager of the Ports Authority, said it is their responsibility to clean up and maintain the Nuku’alofa port.
“I am pleased that this government has endorsed the process because we have for many years attempted to enforce it but to no avail due to legal issues and unpaid tariffs by vessel owners,” he said.
Cabinet requested Ports to assist in cleaning up of the waterfront by removing the old abandoned, laid-up vessels and wreckages stranded on the reef. The operation is also part of a beautification process ahead of the Coronation on July 4.
The Ports Authority is funding the heavy machinery used for the work, which is expected to cost more than $200,000 pa’anga.