The captain of the missing boat from Fonoifua has made contact with Tonga Police.
Deputy Police Commissioner Pelenatita Feʻao told Kaniva News that Captain Siua Moimoi talked to Police through a telephone call and said all 11 passengers aboard are safe and sound.
At the time of the contact last night Moimoi said they were in a location at sea between ʻEua and Tongatapu.
He said they could see the village of Navutoka in Tongatapu from their location, Feʻao said.
Moimoi said the engine of the boat experienced mechanical failure at times but he could fix it while they were struggling to reach Fāua wharf in Nukuʻalofa.
Feʻao said it appeared the boat somehow went astray while it was on its way to Fonoifua from Nukuʻalofa on June 27.
They were reported missing yesterday morning after they failed to arrive at Fonoi at around 2am.