BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
GIZO Police have successfully rescued 20 students and three crew onboard a vessel from Moli, in Choiseul Province to Gizo Island in Western Province.
The rescue occurred Tuesday after the vessel developed mechanical problems while travelling in the sea.
The boat, owned by the Catholic Diocese in Gizo left Moli for Gizo on Sunday when it experienced mechanical problems and started drifting.
Provincial Police Commander, Western Province, Chief Superintendent, Mathias Lenialu told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that Gizo Police Search and Rescue team were approached on Monday January 29 by some concerned parents of the students along with the Catholic Diocese in Gizo.
“We began our search early on Monday outside of Vella la Vella and Kolombangara Island and it was not until early in the morning on Tuesday January 30 that the vessel was located near Choiseul.
“All persons on board the vessel are safe and well.
“A tug boat towed the vessel to Posarae in South Choiseul and then later the tug boat was boarded by two Police Officers from Taro Police Station.”
Lenialu thanked those who were involved in the search including the tug boat owners from Legavana logging camp, Posarae, South Choiseul and Kolombangara Forest Product Limited (KFPL) at Ringi as well as his officers in Gizo for the search that was done resulting in rescue of the students and crew.
