Work has begun on the extension of Atiu Harbour in the southern Cook islands group.
Ports authority chairman, Don Beer, says the project, which will cost more than 165,000 U.S. dollars, will be funded by the authority and aid money.
The Cook Islands news reports that a basin will be blasted out of solid coral on the western side of the new harbour basin to a depth of two and a half metres.
Mr Beer says small fishing boats, which have been pushed around from harbour to harbour, will soon have a permanent home.
The Ports Authority is also carrying out preliminary investigations into stages two and three of a project to enlarge and develop Avatiu harbour, on the main island Rarotonga.
