Yagona presented to Tui Levuka for the safe removal of Tongan MV Sitka Featured
MV Sitka
2 September, 2016. A delegation from Kabariki Village in Nabukelevu, Kadavu, and police officers presented yaqona to the Tui Levuka on Monday for the safe removal of the Tongan vessel MV Sitka, currently anchored between Muaninuku and Tabuya villages in Kadavu after suffering mechanical problems more than a week ago.
This was confirmed by Kabariki Village headman Sakeo Luvunakoro yesterday.
He said the delegation went to the Tui Levuka because the waters where the vessel was anchored fell within the traditional fishing ground under the chief's jurisdiction.
"We apologised on behalf of the Tongan crew members and they assured us of their blessings," Mr Luvunakoro said. He also confirmed the six crew members of the boat who were stranded in the village had returned to Tonga.
"They were picked up by police last week Friday and have returned to Tonga. They have asked us to look after the boat," Mr Luvunakoro said.
Meanwhile, Fisheries Ministry officials are understood to be patrolling the waters where the boat was anchored.
Fisheries officer Kadavu Kaminieli Nabalarua yesterday confirmed this was to ensure there was no leakage of fuel because it would harm the marine ecosystem and organisms.
"There is currently 20,000 litres of fuel on the boat. So we are not taking the risks," Mr Nabalarua said.
"We are patrolling this area to make sure there are no oil spills or anything of that sort."
MV Sitka had been sold to a company in the Solomon Islands and the Tongan crew were sailing it to Honiara when it suffered mechanical problems and drifted.
-Fiji Times
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Ko e sii taau ai pe kuo maama e fonua. Ka ne ko e taimi ena enau kei fie'umu tangata kuo ikai toe iai ha longona mei he sii kau Kauvaka eee ... Kaikehe koe lesoni ke ako mei ai e kau folau tahi kotoa, ofa atu sii Kainga