HONIARA, Solomon Islands — A cargo ship reached the Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka early Sunday and began handing over food and water to dozens of people who have been adrift aboard since its engine failed on Friday in remote Temotu Province, ABC News (Australia) and the Solomon Star reported.
The ferry, which serves the far eastern islands under the government’s franchise shipping service, lost its main engine on Friday morning while sailing from Anuta to Vanikoro, about 100 nautical miles from its destination. The Solomon Islands Maritime Authority told ABC there were 74 passengers and 16 crew on board; the Solomon Star put the number of passengers and crew at 73.
“The urgent need was water. We’ve run out of water onboard … the ship’s water supply was used to cool the engine down when it was heating up,” passenger John Tua, a provincial government nurse, told ABC News. “We have lots of brown coconuts on board to drink, but our water is finished.” Passengers have kept in touch with relatives through the ferry’s Starlink connection.
A French aircraft from New Caledonia was first on the scene on Saturday, dropping life rafts and desalination equipment, and a Cairns-based Australian Maritime Safety Authority jet made several drops of food, water, medical supplies and communications gear. The Panama-registered bulk carrier Sunnine 3, which diverted from its route, arrived around 2 a.m. Sunday and dropped relief supplies after daybreak, the Solomon Star said. The Temotu provincial government said those aboard now had access to drinking water, food and medical provisions.
A landing craft sent from Vanikoro turned back on Saturday because of high swells, and the patrol boat Gizo was due to reach the ferry late Sunday, the Solomon Star reported. The drama comes four weeks after the inter-island ferry MV Matui sank in rough seas in neighboring Vanuatu with more than 50 people aboard; two have been confirmed dead and 39 remain missing, ABC said.
Sources: ABC News (Australia), Solomon Star
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