By Katalina Siasau

Three women and a young child were rescued from a sinking boat yesterday afternoon, in Ha’apai, over six hours after the boat from Kotu island got into difficulties at sea. The skipper of the sinking boat, Heamasi Koloa, swam to the island of Lofanga, and a rescue was mounted to save the passengers before nightfall.

Tonga Police initiated its Search and Rescue (SAR) team yesterday afternoon.

Approximately 6-7 hours after the boat got into difficulty, it was found and the three passengers were rescued. The town officer of Kotu, Toekava Pule'anga, was one of the women rescued from the sea.

Their rescue operation involved the local community in Ha'apai. A team of three Tongan men who work for Infratec New Zealand Ltd,  went out on the rescue joined by the town officer of Mo'unga'one.

The Infratec team were on a work mission to drop off cable drums and materials for a solar project on Mo'unga'one, when a faulty engine forced them to return to Taufa'ahau Wharf, where they learned of the missing boat.

Sione Poilangi Paea from the team told Matangi Tonga today, they immediately cancelled their work plan and headed out for the rescue, on a boat called Ha'apai 17. They left Taufa'ahau Wharf at around 1:47 pm.

They finished the rescue mission at 3:05 pm and arrived back at Taufa'ahau Wharf at approximately 5:00 pm. They were met by the Governor of Ha'apai and the families of the surviving passengers.

The passengers and boat came from the island of Kotu, and were aiming to reach Pangai when it filled with seawater and began to sink. The skipper, Heamasi Koloa, swam to the island of Lofanga, and that's when Police and town officers were alerted.

Tonga Police is investigating the incident.