A 15-year-old girl from Ha'alaufuli drowned in Vava'u waters on August 11 after a small fishing vessel loaded with a funeral party of 39 people sank on its way from Neiafu to Ovaka Island.

Police have today named the deceased as Sitefini Polutele.

The 'Anakea' sank 40 meters from the eastern coastline of Matamaka on the tip of Nuapapu Island at 5pm on Wednesday.

Police Commander Chris Kelley confirmed yesterday, that police in Vava'u are investigating the maritime incident, which could have been much worse. A total of 39 passengers were onboard the 28 to 30 feet fishing vessel.

He said the vessel based in Vava'u, left Neiafu at about 4pm bound for the outer island of Ovaka, along with another vessel for a funeral. As the 'Anakea' approached Matamaka she took on excessive seawater and sank. All but one of the passengers made it safely to shore but the body of a 15-year-old girl was taken from the water. Fellow passengers were unable to revive her, said Commander Kelley.

The deceased, a student at Vava'u High School, was travelling with her aunt and others from the village of Ha'alaufuli.

The Commander said the Vava'u Police were notified at around 6pm and they responded with a search and rescue operation. Some of passengers remained on Matamaka Island, waiting to be taken off the island yesterday and today.

Seaworthiness

He said Police in Vava'u had interviewed the skipper to determine exactly what happened, how many were onboard and what caused the vessel to sink. "But we believe everyone is accounted for."

The vessel was towed back to Neiafu and maritime officials and experts would examine it. The Commander said Chief Inspector Tonga, the officer in charge of the investigation in Vava'u, would look at all aspects of the vessel's journey, its seaworthiness and passengers' recollection of events.

"It is tragic that another person should die in a maritime incident," he said.

On Friday August 13, the Commander said it was confirmed that 39 persons were on board the vessel: 19 males, 20 females and including 5 children.