More than 70 passengers and crew remain aboard the inter-island ferry MV Awka after it broke down in Solomon Islands waters on Friday, with an international rescue operation now delivering food and water to the stricken vessel.
The ferry was sailing between the remote islands of Anuta and Vanikoro in Temotu Province when its engine overheated about 100 nautical miles from its destination, according to passenger John Tua, a nurse with the provincial government. "Everyone is OK, no-one panicked, passengers were calm ... we're just waiting for the rescue ships to come," Mr Tua said.
A distress call was issued on Friday, prompting the Solomon Islands government to enlist help from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the New Caledonian government. AMSA said its Cairns-based rescue jet made several drops of critical items including food, water, medical supplies and communications equipment, while a French aircraft from New Caledonia dropped life rafts and desalination equipment on Saturday.
Mr Tua said the ship's water supply had been used to cool the engine and had run out. "We have lots of brown coconuts on board to drink, but our water is finished."
On Sunday morning, the Panama-registered bulk carrier Sunnine 3 reached the vessel and began transferring water and food. Passengers have stayed in touch with families using the ship's Starlink internet. Temotu Premier Stanley Tehiahua said a police patrol boat was on its way from Honiara and urged relatives to remain calm.
The incident follows the sinking of the Vanuatu ferry MV Matui in rough seas three weeks ago, in which more than 30 people remain missing. University of the South Pacific researcher Peter Nuttall said Australia could fund safer Pacific ferries: "We could have built 40 to 60 safe, brand new, low-carbon ferries for the same budget as we've spent on 20-something patrol boats, several which have already been scrapped."