Drifting Vessel And 50 Passengers Back In Port

THE inter-island vessel Tunatuki made its way safely into Suva Harbour on Tuesday night. The vessel, which had been drifting in open seas for two days, berthed at Narain Jetty at 10.30pm on Tuesday night. Crew members yesterday said the 50 passengers were safe and in good health. They left the vessel as soon as it berthed at the jetty. The vessel was due back in Suva on Saturday but it developed engine problems before reaching its last port of call in Vanuabalavu. The ship had been to Nayau, Cicia, and Lakeba during its weeklong trip last week. Saliabasaga Shipping, owners of the Tunatuki, managed to dispatch a tug-boat on Monday to tow the vessel to Suva. The news effectively left relatives and friends of passengers worried as it drifted in open seas. The ship is one of many that make up a vital link to the many islands around the country. Officials of the shipping company said they would rest the ship and its crew in the next few days as they looked at its engine. "We'll probably start operating again next week," the official said. The vessel will unload its cargo this morning. THE inter-island vessel Tunatuki made its way safely into Suva Harbour on Tuesday night. The vessel, which had been drifting in open seas for two days, berthed at Narain Jetty at 10.30pm on Tuesday night. Crew members yesterday said the 50 passengers were safe and in good health. They left the vessel as soon as it berthed at the jetty. The vessel was due back in Suva on Saturday but it developed engine problems before reaching its last port of call in Vanuabalavu. The ship had been to Nayau, Cicia, and Lakeba during its weeklong trip last week. Saliabasaga Shipping, owners of the Tunatuki, managed to dispatch a tug-boat on Monday to tow the vessel to Suva. The news effectively left relatives and friends of passengers worried as it drifted in open seas. The ship is one of many that make up a vital link to the many islands around the country. Officials of the shipping company said they would rest the ship and its crew in the next few days as they looked at its engine. "We'll probably start operating again next week," the official said. The vessel will unload its cargo this morning. THE inter-island vessel Tunatuki made its way safely into Suva Harbour on Tuesday night. The vessel, which had been drifting in open seas for two days, berthed at Narain Jetty at 10.30pm on Tuesday night. Crew members yesterday said the 50 passengers were safe and in good health. They left the vessel as soon as it berthed at the jetty. The vessel was due back in Suva on Saturday but it developed engine problems before reaching its last port of call in Vanuabalavu. The ship had been to Nayau, Cicia, and Lakeba during its weeklong trip last week. Saliabasaga Shipping, owners of the Tunatuki, managed to dispatch a tug-boat on Monday to tow the vessel to Suva. The news effectively left relatives and friends of passengers worried as it drifted in open seas. The ship is one of many that make up a vital link to the many islands around the country. Officials of the shipping company said they would rest the ship and its crew in the next few days as they looked at its engine. "We'll probably start operating again next week," the official said. The vessel will unload its cargo this morningInter Island vessel Tunatuki