One dies, four survive six hour ordeal after fishing boat sinks [1]
Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 15:06. Updated on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 13:25.
One Tongan fisherman died and another was bitten by a shark after five fishermen were left floating in the water 35 miles to the north west of Tongatapu, for over six hours last night April 13, after their 10m boat sank in rough seas.
Luck was on the men's side and their beacon signal for help at about 5 p.m. was picked up by an Air New Zealand aircraft that was flying over Tonga on its way to Hawaii. The Air New Zealand pilot alerted the Wellington-based National Rescue Co-ordination Centre and the Tongan authority was notified.
The four survivors and the body of the deceased were picked up by the Tonga Defence Services patrol boat VOA Savea, about 11 p.m. The Deputy Commander of Tonga's Ministry of Police, Taniela Faletau, said that the patrol boat was sent out to look for the men at 7 p.m, and they picked up the five men at 11 p.m. One was dead and another was bleeding after he was bitten from what they presumed to be a shark.
The five men, all in their mid-forties, are from the settlement of Fangaloto on the eastern outskirt of Nuku'alofa.
Taniela said they went out fishing on April 13 in their 10 meter wooden motor boat. He said that according to the leader of the group about mid-day yesterday they noticed that the wind was getting stronger and the sea was rough, so they decided to return. It was right then that a big wave landed on the boat, and it sank soon afterwards. The men hung on to floating debris and were able to send out the SOS beacon signal that saved four of their lives.
The wounded fisherman was admitted to Vaiola Hospital and the other three were discharged and went home. An inquest of the dead person was held this afternoon.
Meanwhile a strong wind warning is still in force for all Tongan waters.