Vanuatu's prime minister says the Port Vila port needs a smaller rescue boat than the national patrol boat RVS Tukoro.
Moana Carcasses made the comment following a rescue last week when he was contacted about a ship in distress.
He says a local cargo and passenger vessel MV Fresh Cargo sank as it was approaching Port Vila with 32 passengers on board late at night.
Mr Carcasses says he immediately notified the police commissioner but it took two hours for the RVC Tukoro to have the 20 crew needed to leave port.
He says the incident put lives at risk and shows why Port Vila needs a smaller patrol boat.
