A new interisland service has been started in Tonga after the new ferry, the MV Vaomapa was commissioned on Saturday last week.
It was operated by the Tofa Ramasay Enterprise, a shipping company not new to Tongans.
General Manager Tuna Mailangi Ramsay Likiliki said her grandparents Tofa and Mele Ramsay started the business 60 years ago with a 7.62 metre ferry known as MV Taufale.
The ferry was captained by Tofa and the purser was Mele, she said.
The new 140 -ton ferry can carry up to 250 passengers and was commissioned at Queen Salote wharf in Nukualofa.
The company has announced the fees for ‘Eua on its Facebook page.
“The prices are $20 for adults, $15 for students, $10 for children and it is free of charge for kids under the age of 5”.
The 47 metre ferry was bought from South Korea.
Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.
Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.
