16 Rescued From Former N.Z. Ship

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31365, 10 May 1967, Page 14

16 Rescued From Former N.Z. Ship

(N.Z. Pres. Association—Copyright)

SUVA, May 8.

A Fijian Government vessel today rescued 16 shipwrecked people, including a woman and a child, from the deserted Nukutolo reef, 130 miles north-east of Suva.

The 800-ton Wai listen ran aground on- Nukutoto reef yesterday afternoon and is described as a “complete writeoff.” The crew of 15 included the wife of the chief engineer as ship's cook.

The first vessel on the scene today was the launch, Adi Vuna, which reached the sandy atoll late this morning. Shortly afterwards the Fijian Government’s “floating hospital,” Vuniwai, arrived and took all 16 aboard.

They were later transferred to another vessel, the Degei, which is believed to be heading for Tavenuni and a rendezvous with the Royal New Zealand Navy ship, Kiama. The Kiama is expected to bring them to Suva, arriving here tomorrow. The Vuniwai had been diverted from Its regular inter-island run to pick up the shipwrecked crew. First reports said ail 16 persons were unhurt The Wallisian was until re-

centiy the Holm Shipping Company’s 20-year-old 527-ton coastal vessel, Holmlea, says our shipping reporter.

The Dutch-built vessel was recently sold to the Rusmor Shipping Company and registered in the New Hebrides. She left Onehunga for Fiji after being sold and was believed to be ultimately bound for Vila, according to the master of the container ship, Holmpark (Captain E. R. Warner), who arrived in Lyttelton from Onehunga on Monday morning. Captain Warner said that the Wallisten’s Mayday signal was picked up by the Holmpark at 12.7 a.m. on Monday. He called Awarua radio staion to verify the name, which he recognised. Wallisian took her name from Wallis Island, Captain Warner said.

A Mayday call was also heard by the Lyttelton Signal Tower early on Monday morning, according to the Lyttelton harbourmaster (Captain A. R. Champion).