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Posted by Dale Crisp
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12 Oct, 2026
A SOLOMON ISLANDS ferry that broke down at sea on Friday [9 October] with 73 people on board was safely towed to shore last night after a multi-agency rescue effort.
The 263 GT Awka, built in 1996 and owned by Anolpha Enterprise Ltd of Honiara, was enroute between the remote islands of Anuta and Vanikoro in Temotu Province when its engine failed around 100 nautical miles from its destination.
Among several respondents the Australian Maritime Safety Authority supported the Solomon Islands Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Honiara in the search and rescue operation off the coast of Vanikoro Island.
On Saturday 10 October, an AMSA rescue jet conducted several drops of critical items including food, water, medical supplies and communications equipment.
A nearby bulk carrier, Sunnine 3, transferred food and water, while those onboard Awka used StarLink internet to communicate.
However, after three days adrift it was not until 2300 last night that police patrol boat Gizo reached Awka and a Helper 1 began towing the powerless vessel to Vanikoro about an hour later.
Solomon Islands Temotu Province premier Stanley Tehiahua expressed relief of the outcome, praising the efforts of governments, including Australia's, and maritime companies who carried out the rescue operation. But he told the ABC the local search-and-rescue response was unacceptably slow.
According to some reports the Awka’s engine was overheating and the crew attempted to cool it by dousing it with water.
Awka operates the far eastern routes under the Solomons government’s Franchise Shipping Service. It had departed Honiara 25 September on a voyage due to rotate Lata-Matu-Lusalemba-Kalaby-Nangu-Utupua-Vanikoro- Tikopia-Anuta and return via the same route.
The ferry was acquired by Anolpha in 2015 and is listed as having seven previous owners. It was built in Japan for local owners.
