By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Vessels serving Malaita Province have been warned to follow marine instructions and regulations for the safety of their passengers.

This is to avoid a tragedy occurring during trips from Auki to Honiara and vice versa. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, told Island Sun Auki this in an interview yesterday.

He said a tragedy nearly happened on Monday morning (yesterday) at Auki wharf when passengers overloaded Pelican 1.

He said police had to step in and ask some passengers to leave the vessel for the safety of everyone.

He also said that police escorted the captain of the vessel to the police station for questioning and warned him about marine regulations. 

“Yes, the Pelican 1 vessel nearly sunk. Luckily, my officers were there and got hold of them.

“So, they escorted the vessel’s captain for questioning and reminded him of the marine regulations. We had to tell some passengers to walk out from the vessel before we let go of them,” he said.

He said since the country is experiencing changing weather, all vessels must abide by and follow marine regulations to avoid tragedy.

Of the thousands of people who flooded the Auki wharf yesterday morning, less than half of them traveled by the three fast-running vessels: Pelican 1 and 2, and Auki Express.

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