Search and rescue efforts for passengers still missing from MV Matui are continuing, with 10 vessels, including three ships, deployed today to search offshore islands east of Santo.

Fourteen survivors and two deaths have been confirmed, while more than 30 people remain reported missing following the sinking of MV Matui on Friday, 11 September, between Santo and Ambae around 10am.

An Information Centre has also been established at the NDMO office in Luganville to provide families with the latest verified information about the search and their loved ones.

The Operation Controller has appealed to families to remain calm and receive updates through the Information Centre.

Search Continues After MV Matui Sinks

MV Matui sank between Santo and Ambae on Friday morning.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police in the North, David Bongranlie, police received information at around 8am on Saturday that the vessel had not arrived in Ambae and began efforts to locate it.

The first survivor reached Bombua Beach Resort at around 3pm on Saturday, which helped confirm that the vessel had sunk.

Search and rescue teams have since involved the National Disaster Management Office, Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority, Police and local vessel operators, with assistance from aircraft and other vessels.

The search operation carried out on Monday did not locate any additional survivors or bodies.

Marine Warnings Issued Before Incident

The Vanuatu Meteorological and Hydrological Department says marine warnings had been in effect in the northern waters before the sinking.

Manager of the Forecast Division, Jerry Timothy, says the weather system had been monitored from 5 September, with warnings issued for strong winds and rough seas.

He says the forecast for the northern waters included winds reaching between 21 and 30 knots and waves around three metres high.

Timothy says the warning covering Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week reached its peak on Friday.

“The peak is roughly 30 knots wind … which means the waves outside are three plus metres.”

He says the level of risk for a vessel depends on factors including its size and design, how it is loaded, the direction of travel and the direction of waves and swell.

Timothy says marine warnings are issued to the relevant maritime authorities, which are responsible for making decisions based on the conditions at sea.

Questions Raised Over Search Response

Questions have been raised over the timing of the search and rescue response following the sinking.

Police say the vessel is believed to have sunk at around 10am on Friday, but authorities were not informed that it had failed to arrive in Ambae until Saturday morning.

Vanuatu Shipping Association Chairman Andrew Bohn says an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, or EPIRB, could have alerted authorities when the vessel sank and triggered an earlier search and rescue response.

“Had the ship fitted with one Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon EPIRB then we would be aware on Friday when the ship sank.”

Bohn says such an alert could have given rescuers an additional 24 hours to search for people.

He also says personal locator beacons attached to life jackets could provide another means of locating people in the water.

Shipping Association Calls for Safety Review

Bohn says safety must remain the first priority for vessels and passengers.

He says vessels should undergo proper inspections before leaving port, including checks of safety equipment and other requirements.

Bohn says responsibility for safety does not rest solely with maritime authorities, with captains and crews also responsible for making decisions about whether a vessel should sail.

“The captain has the final responsibility.”

He says captains must have appropriate training, knowledge and qualifications, and should be able to make the decision not to sail when conditions are unsafe.

Bohn also confirmed that MV Matui was not a member of the Vanuatu Shipping Association and therefore the association had no direct involvement in its operation.

He says a full investigation is needed to establish the facts, including the condition of the vessel, the decision to sail and whether the required safety equipment was available.

Tui Shipping Expresses Sympathy

Tui Shipping Agency has issued a sympathy statement to families, relatives, friends and communities affected by the sinking.

The company says it is deeply saddened by the loss of life and suffering caused by the tragedy and recognises the pain, grief and uncertainty facing affected families.

Tui Shipping also acknowledged the survivors and thanked government agencies, emergency responders, private shipping and aircraft operators, local communities, volunteers and others who have assisted with the search and rescue operation.

The company says it recognises its responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew.

“We are deeply sorry.”

Tui Shipping says it is important for the full facts to be established before conclusions are reached about the circumstances that led to the sinking.

It says it will respect the investigation process and its findings and will cooperate fully and transparently with the relevant authorities.

The company also says it is committed to learning from the tragedy and acting on the lessons identified once the facts have been established.

Search Operation Continues

The search operation is continuing today, with 10 vessels, including three ships, tasked to search around the offshore islands on the eastern side of Santo.

The vessels are also expected to search areas of the sea between Santo and Ambae, following designated search lines.

Authorities are urging families to remain calm and rely on the Information Centre at the NDMO office in Luganville for verified updates as the search continues.