The MV ‘Otuanga’ofa had to dock at Queen Salote Wharf on a Sunday after travelling from Niuafo’ou to Vava’u then to Nuku’alofa since last Thursday.
The office of the Friendly Islands Shipping Agency – FISA confirmed with Radio Tonga News this was due to the delay in offloading cargoes in Niuafo’ou because of the bad weather causing disruption in the vessel’s timetable.
Information from FISA says the vessel then had to wait for 24 hours, before passengers started boarding at Niuafo’ou, last Thursday.
The vessel then travelled to Vava’u and was supposed to stop over in Ha’apai – but due to the conditions of the passengers, they had no choice but to travel direct to Nuku’alofa.
Although they arrived Sunday morning, the passengers had to disembark while offloading the cargoes had to wait for early morning until Sunday was over.
The vessel returned to Ha’apai yesterday for the passengers that were left behind from the weekend.
On another development, the people of Ha’apai raised concern over the high student’s fares on the trip to Nuku’alofa, during Radio Tonga News talk-back show.
But FISA says, they are currently imposing fare discounts with almost 50 percent off for students from 17 year olds down.