Two foreign sailing yachts that arrived unexpectedly in Vava'u over the last few days, in breach of border security measures, are being allowed to remain in safe haven anchorage at Port Maurelle until heavy weather calms down.

“The situation is under control, they are not allowed ashore, the vessels are separated and we are keeping a sharp monitor on them,” Tongan Navy Commander Taniela Tuita told Matangi Tonga this afternoon.

The first yacht Nadine, entered inside Vava'u waters on Sunday going undetected until Monday morning when it reported a technical problem. The 15m yacht with a Swedish flag, came from Borabora, with a family of five on its way to Suva.

“We didn't detect the Nadine on the satellite system until Monday when they switched on after they rectified an electrical fault,” said Cmdr. Tuita.

Yesterday, another yacht SV Clio came into Vava'u, after sailing from Tahiti, on its way to Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.

Cmdr. Tuita said Tonga's Joint Maritime Coordination Centre had been tracking down the passage of the second yacht and had informed Vava'u authorities.

“Both yachts have been directed to anchor at Maurelle. We expect them to leave no later than this Friday.

“The Clio had no intention of coming to Tonga but sought shelter because of the bad weather. There was no distress condition and no further assistance is required. They are waiting for the wind to calm down,” he said.

“We hope the weather forecast up North will be more favourable over the next two days.”

A gale warning remains in force for all Tongan waters today.

Breached border

There is mixed feeling among expats and locals in Vava'u about the arrival of yachts.

“We simply don't welcome that here in Vava'u except for few with fake sympathy looking for business gain,” said Vava'u resident Tony 'Esau.

He questioned why more attention was not being given to the northern regions of Tonga, especially when it is known “there are many yachts sitting at Tahiti ready to make the passage across Vava'u.”

“There is a sailing yacht [Nadine] currently on anchor at Vava'u Harbour who caught the Tongan border patrol napping on duty and made their way with no radio calls into the harbour. Why the Task Force only so focused on the single entry point with the all-out drill at Fua'amotu Airport, not the waters around Northern territory?”

“The Navy is here now after the border was intentionally breached for transit,” he said.

Raised eyebrows

Vava'u social media platforms have been busy on the subject. Roy Neyman who has been moored in Vava'u inner harbour during the CoViD-19 lockdowns, reported waking up on Monday morning and seeing a new boat, Nadine, moored next to him in transit from Borabora to Fiji. “This has raised some eyebrows,” he said on Facebook “...this has raised quite a bit of local concern in virus-free Tonga.”

He also reported the arrival of a second yacht, SV Clio.

Headed for Fiji

Greg Just at the Tropicana Cafe in Neiafu, told Matangi Tonga today that he was aware of 100 yachts, mainly from French Polynesia and a few from New Zealand, who were now heading to Fiji under its blue lanes policy. “They have CoViD-19 negative tests before they leave and they pay a lot of money for permission to go to Fiji under conditions.”

He heard that the Nadine arrived in the Vava'u Harbour around 2:00pm on Sunday and was apparently unable to contact Customs. “Nobody saw it. ...They are at Maurelle now with Customs and a Police boat, and the military on the beach keeping an eye onshore.”

Greg said that he was not concerned about the yachts coming in because he believed they had been tested before they were allowed to leave French Polynesia.

“Most businesses in Vava'u are yacht-based and we get a lot of business out of offering hospitality. I think most people respect the need for a safe haven this time.” He believed Fiji was earning millions by offering its blue lanes policy with strict conditions of testing.

Meanwhile, under a Public Health Emergency Order, all international cruise ships and yachts scheduled to arrive in Tonga were barred indefinitely from March 17.

- By Mary Lyn Fonua