A STAR FOR TOKELAU

Anew inter-atoll vessel for Tokelau funded through New Zealand Aid will provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation between the country’s three atolls.

The vessel, Fetu o te Moana, or Star of the Sea, is a 13m partly covered aluminium boat with twin 440hp engines mated to jet units. It can carry 12-14 passengers and has an adaptable reclining first aid bed for transport of a sick or injured person. It has a top speed of around 32 knots.

The vessel is designed for use between Tokelau’s atolls but has the fuel capacity to travel to Samoa, weather dependent, if required.

The vessel is equipped with the latest safety equipment and electronics including long range radio which operates under global maritime distress and safety systems.

It is being provided through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Pacific Maritime Safety Programme (PMSP), which is delivered by Maritime NZ.

There is currently no designated search and rescue vessel to respond to an emergency in Tokelau. The new vessel will be used for emergency response, and transportation between the islands for community leaders, teachers, officials and other people as needed.

The $860,000 vessel has been designed by ICON Custom Boats in Rangiora, with input from the masters of the Mataliki and Tokelau’s Department of Transport and Support Services.

Director of Maritime NZ, Keith Manch, says a critical part of the project ensuring the vessel is established safely and PMSP would deliver a training, equipment and implementation programme which would run over the next two years.