‘Aunofo  Havea, a well known Tongan seafarer was awarded a certificate under the Standards of Training and Certification for Watchkeeping and Seafarers STCW by Eric R. Dawick,  the president of the  Northeast Maritime Institute (NMI), Fairhaven, Massachusetts on 26 July.

She is a licenced master of vessel of less than 500 cross tons.

‘Aunofo undertook a two months intensive course with the Northeast Maritime Institute before she qualified.

She is the owner of a Whale Watching  company in Vava’ u,  the Vaka and Moana Co., and the founder and the Managing Director of the Tonga Voyaging Society.

In 2012 ‘Aunofo captained the Hokino Hinemoana, and in 2016 she also captain the Okiano Aotearoa.

In 2017 ‘Aunofo captained the kalia Vaka Motu, a traditional sailing canoe that was powered with solar energy and sails.

At present she is the only female captain of yachts and kalia in Tonga, and internationally. 

The NE Northeast Maritime Institute – College of Maritime Science was founded in 1981, and prides itself in being one of the forerunners in private maritime education and training in the United States and around the globe.

NE Maritime Institute also have been recognized by the International Maritime Organization IMO.