FISA launches fast inter-islands catamaran ferry service [1]
Tuesday, August 30, 2016 - 21:36. Updated on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 - 10:47.
A fast ferry service between Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vava'u on a 29m catamaran, MV Maggie Cat, was launched with a commissioning ceremony held at the Queen Salote Wharf this afternoon, 30 August 2016.
The 29 meters aluminium catamaran, MV Maggie Cat, which has been charted by the Friendly Islands Shipping Agency Ltd. from the Captain Cooks Cruises of Australia can carry 260 passengers at a top speed of 20 nautical miles an hour.
The Chief Executive Officer of FISA, Mosese Fakatou said that the catamaran would leave Nuku’alofa in the morning, arrive at Pangai, Ha’apai around mid-day, and Neiafu, Vava’u in the afternoon.
The MV Maggie Cat allows each passenger a luggage allocation of 15kg, which could increase if there are fewer passengers sailing.
FISA has chartered the catarman for three months to resume its domestic inter islands ferry service, which has been disrupted since June when its inter island ferry, the MV ‘Otunga’ofa had problems with its rudder. A new rudder is expected to arrive from Japan next month, and the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa is expected to resume its inter-islands shipping service in October.
The Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho were the guests of honour at the Commissioning Ceremony. Present also were representatives from Captain Cooks Cruises, Australia, the Minister of the Ministry of Public Enterprises, Hon. Poasi Tei and members of the board of directors of FISA.
The highlight of the Commissioning Ceremony was a 30 minutes harbour cruise on the MV Maggie Cat, where guests were entertained with the surprise appearance of two whales, which appeared to be on their way north.