MV 'Otuanga'ofa

MV ʻOtu Angaʻofa at Tongatapu, by Embassy of Japan in the Kingdom of Tonga
History
Tonga
Name	‘Otuanga’ofa
Operator	Friendly Island Shipping Agency
Completed	2010
Homeport	Nukuʻalofa
Identification	IMO number: 9570357
Status	In service
General characteristics
Type	Ferry (RORO)
Tonnage	1,534 GT 564 DWT
Length	53 m (173 ft 11 in)
Beam	13.5 m (44 ft 3 in)
Complement	22
Notes	400 passengers

MV ʻOtu Angaʻofa ("friendly islands")[1] is an inter-island ferry which has operated in Tonga since 2010. It replaced MV Princess Ashika, which had sunk on 5 August 2009, with 74 people lost at sea.

MV ʻOtu Angaʻofa was built in Japan and was paid for by the Japanese government at a cost of US$16 million.[2] It arrived in Tonga in October 2010,[3] and after a period of testing, entered service with the Friendly Island Shipping Agency in December 2010.[4] It normally operates between Nukuʻalofa, Pangai, and Neiafu.[4]

In January 2012 it collided with a stationary vessel twice at Nukuʻalofa while trying to dock. No injuries were reported, but $50,000 of damage was caused to the MV Sitka.[5] In May 2014 it ran aground at Niuatoputapu.[6][7] In July 2014 it was sent to Fiji for maintenance after cracks were found inside a ballast tank.[8] In June 2015 the captain was fired after the ship was found to be leaking.[9]

In September 2022 it was sent to Auckland, New Zealand for repairs. On its arrival, it was told to stay outside new Zealand waters for three weeks due to biosecurity risks.[10] The repairs took longer than expected,[11] and the ferry's absence caused significant disruption to the education of students in the Niua Islands, who were unable to travel to Tongatapu for the beginning of the school year.[12] The ferry returned to Tonga in April 2023.[13]

References

1. "New Tonga ferry checked ahead of planned launch". RNZ. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
2. "Tonga's new ferry soon to begin service". RNZ. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
3. "Tonga's new interisland ferry arrives". RNZ. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
4. "Tonga's new inter island ferry sets sail". RNZ. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
5. "No injuries in Tonga ship collision". RNZ. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
6. "MV 'Otuanga'ofa ferry runs aground at Niuatoputapu". Matangi Tonga. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
7. "Tonga's MV 'Otu Anga'ofa runs aground". Kaniva Tonga. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
8. "Tonga ferry undergoing maintenance". RNZ. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
9. Kalino Latu (18 June 2015). "MV Niuvākai out of service, 'Otu Angaʻofa captain sacked after leaks found on ferries". Kaniva Tonga. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
10. "Tongan ferry told to stay out of New Zealand waters because it posed biosecurity threat". Kaniva Tonga. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
11. Kalino Latu (31 January 2023). "Inter-island ferry finally due to leave Auckland after unexpected faults cause months of delays". Kaniva Tonga. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
12. "Students stranded for months as gov't could not afford hiring ferries for Niuas". Kaniva Tonga. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
13. "MV 'Otuanga'ofa arrives back in Tonga". Matangi Tonga. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.