A barge leaves the dock at Nukunonu in Tokelau to collect passengers and cargo from the MV Tokelau.

The MV Tokelau was an inter-island ferry which served as Tokelau's main transport connection to the world from 1991 to 2012.

The ship was built in 1991 as a 19m catamaran for use within Tokelau.[1] In 2000 it was converted to a mono-hull and lengthened to 30m in order to run an Apia to Tokelau service.[1]

In 2003 the Tokelau rescued two Tokelauan fishermen missing near Atafu.[2] In 2005 it delivered aid to Tokelau in the aftermath of Cyclone Percy.[3] In 2007 the vessel broke down in Fakaofo and its passengers and cargo had to be transport by the American Samoan government vessel, MV Sili.[4] In 2010 three men drowned when the boat they were using to ferry cargo to the Tokelau capsized in rough seas off Atafu.[5]

Concerns about the ship's age began to be raised in 2006, and the Tokelauan government request the government of New Zealand to purchase a replacement.[6] The request was repeated following the Princess Ashika disaster in 2009.[1][7][8] The New Zealand government commissioned a report, but took no other action.[9] In 2012, following a direct appeal from the Ulu-o-Tokelau Kerisiano Kalolo[10] the New Zealand government agreed to fund the construction of a new ferry, and to lease a replacement in the interim.[11][12] In February 2016 the vessel was finally replaced by the MV Mataliki.[13]

In 2013 the ship was gifted to the government of Samoa as it was no longer considered fit to ferry passengers.[14][15] It was operated by the Samoa Shipping Corporation as the MV Pasefika Express to transport passengers and cargo between Upolu and Savai'i until it was sold to a private owner in October 2022.[16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Michael Field (29 December 2009). "Tokelau island ferry 'safe'". Stuff. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "Tokelau fishermen found alive and well". RNZ. 16 May 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  3. ↑ "Long-term recovery aid shipment heads to Tokelau after cyclone". RNZ. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  4. ↑ "American Samoa ship helps out Tokelau after its boat breaks down". RNZ. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  5. ↑ "Three men drown off a Tokelau atoll after boat capsizes in rought seas". RNZ. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "New Zealand to consider proposal for new shipping arrangements for Tokelau". RNZ. 2 March 2006. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  7. ↑ "Tokelau renews plea for new boat". RNZ. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  8. ↑ Kerri Ritchie (15 July 2009). "Tough voyage for Tokelau to get new boat". ABC. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  9. ↑ "Report due on replacement of ferry in Tokelau". RNZ. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Tokelau Ulu calls for immediate solution to ferry woes". RNZ. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  11. ↑ "Tokelau's Ulu welcomes announcement of new ferries provided by New Zealand". RNZ. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "New ferry a lifeline for remote Tokelau". SunLive. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  13. ↑ "Tokelau receives new ferry from NZ govt". RNZ. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "Tokelau gifts old ferry to Samoa". RNZ. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  15. ↑ "Tokelau Presents Samoa Shipping Corporation With Ferry". Pacific Islands Report. 25 January 2013. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  16. ↑ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (12 October 2022). "Businessman undecided on vessel's use". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
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