The skipper of a whale watching boat, the 'Ha’apai Explorer" was injured when its engine exploded at sea on Saturday, November 26. The boat with two foreign passengers on board, was on its way back to Pangai from Limu Island in the Ha’apai Group when the accident happened.

The boat is normally used to transport tourists for diving and whale watching. Police said today, the male skipper (21) from Ma'ufanga was injured while the two foreigners on-board were unharmed. 

It was reported that benzene fumes emitting from the engine caused the power supply box to spark the explosion on the 30x8ft fibre boat.

A Tonga Police Search and Rescue boat, the ‘Amolua was deployed from Pangai on Sunday, November 27 in response to the call for assistance from a boat in distress at ‘Auhangamea, an area of open sea between the island of Uoleva and ‘Uiha where the incident occcured.

The 'Amolua carried a doctor, two nurses, a health officer and two Police officers as crew members. 

When they arrived at ‘Auhangamea, a boat from the Matafonua Lodge was already there to help, and took the injured skipper and the two foreigners to Pangai. 

A doctor confirmed that the skipper's injuries were not life threatening and he was in a stable condition. The man was released from Niu’ui Hospital on Sunday.

The ‘Amolua arrived later in Pangai with the Ha’apai Explorer in tow.

Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said it was important to take precautions and safety measures before embarking on voyages, and to ensure that boats have communication means, life jackets, emergency flares and a beacon.

He acknowledged the assistance by Matafonua Lodge in dispatching their boat during the emergency.

Since the launch of three new police SAR boats in December 2015, police have saved 61 lives, during 19 Police SAR operations.