MV 'Otuanga'ofa explained

MV ʻOtu Angaʻofa ("friendly islands")[1] is an inter-island ferry which has operated in Tonga since 2010. It replaced .

The ship was built in Japan and was paid for by the Japanese government at a cost of US$16 million.[2] It arrived in Tonga in October 2010,[3] and after a period of testing, entered service with the Friendly Island Shipping Agency in December 2010.[4] It normally operates between Nukuʻalofa, Pangai, and Neiafu.[4]

In January 2012 it collided with a stationary vessel twice at Nukuʻalofa while trying to dock. No injuries were reported, but $50,000 of damage was caused to the .[5] In May 2014 it ran aground at Niuatoputapu.[6] [7] In July 2014 it was sent to Fiji for maintenance after cracks were found inside a ballast tank.[8] In June 2015 the captain was fired after the ship was found to be leaking.[9]

In September 2022 it was sent to Auckland, New Zealand for repairs. On its arrival, it was told to stay outside new Zealand waters for three weeks due to biosecurity risks.[10] The repairs took longer than expected,[11] and the ferry's absence caused significant disruption to the education of students in the Niua Islands, who were unable to travel to Tongatapu for the beginning of the school year.[12] The ferry returned to Tonga in April 2023.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Tonga ferry checked ahead of planned launch . RNZ . 19 October 2010 . 18 March 2023.
  2. Web site: Tonga's new ferry soon to begin service . RNZ . 2 November 2010 . 18 March 2023.
  3. Web site: Tonga's new interisland ferry arrives . RNZ . 19 October 2010 . 18 March 2023.
  4. Web site: Tonga's new inter island ferry sets sail . RNZ . 16 December 2010 . 18 March 2023.
  5. Web site: No injuries in Tonga ship collision . RNZ . 12 January 2012 . 18 March 2023.
  6. Web site: MV 'Otuanga'ofa ferry runs aground at Niuatoputapu . Matangi Tonga . 1 May 2014 . 18 March 2023.
  7. Web site: Tonga's MV 'Otu Anga'ofa runs aground . Kaniva Tonga . 2 May 2014 . 18 March 2023.
  8. Web site: Tonga ferry undergoing maintenance . RNZ . 17 July 2014 . 18 March 2023.
  9. Web site: MV Niuvākai out of service, 'Otu Angaʻofa captain sacked after leaks found on ferries . Kaniva Tonga . Kalino Latu . 18 June 2015 . 18 March 2023.
  10. Web site: Tongan ferry told to stay out of New Zealand waters because it posed biosecurity threat . Kaniva Tonga . 21 February 2023 . 18 March 2023.
  11. Web site: Inter-island ferry finally due to leave Auckland after unexpected faults cause months of delays . Kaniva Tonga . Kalino Latu . 31 January 2023 . 18 March 2023.
  12. Web site: Students stranded for months as gov’t could not afford hiring ferries for Niuas . Kaniva Tonga . 11 March 2023 . 18 March 2023.
  13. Web site: MV ‘Otuanga‘ofa arrives back in Tonga . Matangi Tonga . 6 April 2023 . 7 April 2023.

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