The Prime Minister's office in Vanuatu has taken control of the Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA) amid concerns over the state of the Pacific nation's shipping sector, as the search for survivors from a missing ferry continues.
According to official reports, 15 survivors have been found from the MV Matui, while more than 35 remained missing — including twins aged four years old. One person was confirmed dead yesterday.
MP for Luganville Matai Seremaiah told local media YTS News that the search didn't start for 36 hours and there was confusion over what had happened.
Search and rescue personnel are scouring the coastline in a desperate bid to find survivors following the inter-island ferry sinking. (Source: Supplied)
"The sad reality is, it could have been prevented and that search was too late," he said.
In a statement over the weekend, the Ministry of the Prime Minister said the sinking "appears to be the result of strong winds and marine warnings not being headed, and possibly of negligence, including overloading of the vessel".
It warned ship owners to ensure their vessels were sea worthy with the right safety equipment, including communications systems.
Then, in an extraordinary move showing its lack of confidence in the Ministry of Fisheries, Ocean and Maritime Affairs — which oversees VMSA — the ministry took over responsibility for maritime safety.
The Government told VBTC News that the development came at a critical time for the country's maritime sector, with questions being raised over the enforcement of maritime safety requirements and the response to incidents at sea.
Survivor recalls moment ship sank
There had been some accounts from survivors of what they faced alone at sea.
According to Rayve Sangal, whose personal account was shared by YTS News, when the MV Matui overturned there were not enough floating objects for other passengers to grab on to.
Another man Sangal referred to as Nikola grabbed a spare life jacket and gave it to him.
Four of them, including a woman, tried to swim to the nearest island but were swept back into the open sea by strong currents.
Rayve and Nikola gave their life jackets to the other two when they began to tire and kept swimming without them.
He said he thought he was going to die but Nikola kept encouraging him to swim, and they prayed together.
The pair reached Tutuba Island on Saturday night and slept exhausted before being found by local residents.
According to Rayve, three people of his original group survived but the woman didn't.
The search for other survivors is ongoing with focus around the shorelines, but hope is fading as time goes on.
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