The Tongan government has confirmed that the domestic ferry the MV 'Otu Anga'ofa ran aground at Niuatoputapu four months ago.
The MV 'Otu Anga'ofa Photo: RNZ
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry, Ringo Fa'oliu, has told Radio Tonga that the problem forced the vessel to be sent to Suva for dry dock maintenance without the knowledge of the Marine Department.
The General Manager of the Friendly Island Shipping Agency, Vakau-tapola Vii, says there was not enough time to inform the Department because of the urgency for the vessel to undergo maintenance.
The vessel's annual dry dock maintenance was due in September.
