MV Tongiaki

Forty-eight year old, Niutoni Langilangi of Kolonga, was on the catamaran with his staff.

A report said other staff had noticed Langilangi missing and alleged that he might have fallen from the catamaran on Sunday morning, 3 June.

The other crew went out looking for him, assuming he went on land, but when there was no sight, a sea search was then carried out.

Langilangi’s body was found on Tuesday.

Police said his body will be returned to Nuku’alofa on Saturday, 9 June.

The vessel which cost the government $8.3 million pa’anga was launched by King Tupou VI in Nuku’alofa.

Kaniva News reports the MV Tongiaki can travel from Nuku’alofa to Nomuka, an island 108 kilometres away from the capital in about two hours.

It can do a return trip from Nuku’alofa to Vava’u in less than 12 hours.

The vessel can carry 200 passengers.

Minister of Public Enterprises Hon. Saia Piukala said the MV Tongiaki is the most and latest advanced to join the Friendly Islands Shipping Agency’s fleet.