World · East Asia & Pacific · 21 hrs ago
More than 70 stranded after Solomon Islands ferry engine fails
More than 70 people were stranded aboard the ferry MV Awka in Solomon Islands waters after its engine failed on Friday.
The ferry was travelling between the remote islands of Anuta and Vanikoro in Temotu Province, about 100 nautical miles from its destination.
The engine overheated, and the ship’s water supply was used to cool it, leaving passengers short of drinking water.
Aircraft from Australia and New Caledonia dropped supplies and equipment, including food, water, medical items, life rafts and desalination equipment.
A Panama-registered bulk carrier reached the ferry on Sunday and began transferring food and water.
Passengers were reported to be calm, and they kept in touch with family using the ship’s internet.
A Solomon Islands police patrol boat was on its way from Honiara, while the rescue effort continued.
More than 70 passengers have been stranded aboard the ferry MV Awka in Solomon Islands waters since its engine failed on Friday.
The ferry was travelling between Anuta and Vanikoro in Temotu Province, about 100 nautical miles from its destination.
Aircraft from Australia and New Caledonia dropped supplies and equipment, and a Panama-registered bulk carrier reached the ferry on Sunday to transfer water and food.
Passengers had run out of water after some of the ship’s supply was used to cool the overheating engine.
- Who
- More than 70 passengers aboard the ferry MV Awka.
- What
- The ferry’s engine failed, leaving it adrift at sea. Aircraft dropped supplies and a bulk carrier transferred water and food.
- When
- The engine failed on Friday; the bulk carrier reached the ferry on Sunday morning.
- Where
- Solomon Islands waters, between the remote islands of Anuta and Vanikoro in Temotu Province.
- Why
- The engine overheated and failed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Everyone is OK, no-one panicked, passengers were calm … we're just waiting for the rescue ships to come
The urgent need was water. We've run out of water onboard … the ship's water supply was used to cool the engine down when it was heating up
To all relatives, families and friends anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones, we recognise the emotional distress and uncertainty you are experiencing
The ferry’s engine failed about 100 nautical miles from its destination, and a distress call was issued.
A French aircraft from New Caledonia dropped life rafts and desalination equipment.
The Panama-registered bulk carrier Sunnine 3 reached the ferry and began transferring water and food.
- Passengers
- More than 70
- Vessel
- MV Awka
- Route
- Anuta to Vanikoro, Temotu Province
- Engine failure
- Friday, about 100 nautical miles from the ferry’s destination
- Bulk carrier
- Sunnine 3, registered in Panama
- First aircraft on scene
- A French aircraft from New Caledonia, on Saturday
Sources
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