MV Tokelau

The MV Tokelau was an inter-island ferry which served as Tokelau's main transport connection to the world from 1991 to 2012.

A barge leaves the dock at Nukunonu in Tokelau to collect passengers and cargo from the MV Tokelau.

The ship was built in 1991 as a 19m catamaran for use within Tokelau.[1] In 2000 it was converted to a mono-hull and lengthened to 30m in order to run an Apia to Tokelau service.[1]

In 2003 the Tokelau rescued two Tokelauan fishermen missing near Atafu.[2] In 2005 it delivered aid to Tokelau in the aftermath of Cyclone Percy.[3] In 2007 the vessel broke down in Fakaofo and its passengers and cargo had to be transport by the American Samoan government vessel, MV Sili.[4] In 2010 three men drowned when the boat they were using to ferry cargo to the Tokelau capsized in rough seas off Atafu.[5]

Concerns about the ship's age began to be raised in 2006, and the Tokelauan government request the government of New Zealand to purchase a replacement.[6] The request was repeated following the Princess Ashika disaster in 2009.[1][7][8] The New Zealand government commissioned a report, but took no other action.[9] In 2012, following a direct appeal from the Ulu-o-Tokelau Kerisiano Kalolo[10] the New Zealand government agreed to fund the construction of a new ferry, and to lease a replacement in the interim.[11][12] In February 2016 the vessel was finally replaced by the MV Mataliki.[13]

In 2013 the ship was gifted to the government of Samoa as it was no longer considered fit to ferry passengers.[14][15] It was operated by the Samoa Shipping Corporation as the MV Pasefika Express to transport passengers and cargo between Upolu and Savai'i until it was sold to a private owner in October 2022.[16]

References
  1. Michael Field (29 December 2009). "Tokelau island ferry 'safe'". Stuff. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  2. "Tokelau fishermen found alive and well". RNZ. 16 May 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  3. "Long-term recovery aid shipment heads to Tokelau after cyclone". RNZ. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  4. "American Samoa ship helps out Tokelau after its boat breaks down". RNZ. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  5. "Three men drown off a Tokelau atoll after boat capsizes in rought seas". RNZ. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  6. "New Zealand to consider proposal for new shipping arrangements for Tokelau". RNZ. 2 March 2006. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  7. "Tokelau renews plea for new boat". RNZ. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  8. Kerri Ritchie (15 July 2009). "Tough voyage for Tokelau to get new boat". ABC. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  9. "Report due on replacement of ferry in Tokelau". RNZ. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  10. "Tokelau Ulu calls for immediate solution to ferry woes". RNZ. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  11. "Tokelau's Ulu welcomes announcement of new ferries provided by New Zealand". RNZ. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  12. "New ferry a lifeline for remote Tokelau". SunLive. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  13. "Tokelau receives new ferry from NZ govt". RNZ. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  14. "Tokelau gifts old ferry to Samoa". RNZ. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  15. "Tokelau Presents Samoa Shipping Corporation With Ferry". Pacific Islands Report. 25 January 2013. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  16. Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (12 October 2022). "Businessman undecided on vessel's use". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
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