MV 'Otuanga'ofa arrives in Nuku'alofa [1]
Saturday, October 16, 2010 - 11:15. Updated on Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 15:21.
TONGA'S new inter island ferry, the MV 'Otuanga'ofa arrived in Nuku'alofa on Friday, October 15 to an enthusiastic welcome by the public and government officials.
A flotilla of small boats went out to meet the bright red MV 'Otuanga'ofa as she entered the Nuku'alofa harbour. People flocked to the Nuku'alofa waterfront and to Queen Salote Wharf to get a glimpse of the new ferry arriving.
The Prime Minister, Hon Dr Feleti Sevele, the Japanese Ambassador HE Mr Yasuo Takase and the Minister of Transport Hon Nuku were at Queen Salote Wharf to greet the MV 'Otuanga'ofa. Also present was the President of the ISB Co., Ltd builders of the ferry, Mr Kohei Murashima and ISB shipping officials from Japan.
Mr Kohei Murashima told Matangi Tonga that the ferry on its maiden voyage to Tonga had a Japanese captain and nine crew members, six Japanese and three Tongans.
The ferry service has yet to be officially launched and it has not been confirmed when it will start its commercial service to Vava'u and Ha'apai.
Tonga's inter island ferry service has been in a poor state for a number of years, and the purchasing of the ill-fated Princess Ashika in 2009 to provide a temporary service, because of a delay in the building of this ferry in Japan, remains a reminder of just how bad the inter island ferry service had become.
The public euphoria over the arrival of the MV 'Otuanga'ofa follows years of hardship without a decent ferry service to the outer islands of Tonga.
The ferry, valued at $32 million pa'anga was funded with a grant from the Japanese Government. It has an overall length of 53m, breath of 13.50m, gross tonnage at 1534 tons and deadweight of 563.35 tons. It also has a powerful engine of 735kw.
The 'Otuanga'ofa can carry 400 passengers plus 22 crew members and 400 tonnes of cargoes.
There are no private cabins on the new ferry, but there is one big cabin with 28 bunks. There are also sheltered areas with chairs for passengers.