New sailing boat

Tonga's northern Niuas gets new boat link

Last week the 50 foot trimaran was commissioned by King Tupou VI.

Sitiveni Halapua, who led the project, said the 'Utuma'atu was about two weeks away from its maiden voyage.

He said the boat would take about 48 hours to sail the 600 kilometres to the Niuas in the northern part of Tonga, and would be able to carry 12 people and two tonnes of cargo.

Dr Halapua said people in the Niuas would now have greater and cheaper access to goods and supplies.