A community in West Ambae has raised more than VT203,300 to help fund an aerial surveillance flight as families continue waiting for news of loved ones missing after the sinking of MV Matui.

Community members from Lolovele and Lolovotali joined together to collect money for fuel for a planned three-to-four-hour flight. The effort is intended to support search and recovery teams by allowing them to survey areas that may not have been fully covered.

The fundraising comes as families continue to wait for answers about their missing loved ones.

For the communities involved, the contribution is not only about paying for fuel, but also about keeping hope alive that another flight may find new information and help bring missing people home.

Dr Turnbull Calls for Search and Rescue Coordination Centre

Dr Mark Turnbull, who assisted with aerial surveillance during the search for MV Matui, says Vanuatu needs a dedicated Search and Rescue Coordination Centre to improve coordination during emergencies at sea.

Dr Turnbull said the search operation had initially relied heavily on individuals who came forward to help Police and NDMO organize the response.

“My general recommendation is that Vanuatu needs a Search and Rescue Coordination Centre,” he said. “It could be a small office, even with one person coordinating search and rescue when an emergency happens.”

He said a dedicated centre could bring together Police, NDMO, Maritime, Air Traffic Control and private boat and aircraft operators willing to assist.

Dr Turnbull also highlighted the importance of understanding local tides and currents when planning search areas, explaining that people or objects in the sea may move differently depending on wind and tidal conditions.

“People involved in search and rescue need to understand the tides,” he said, adding that tidal currents can move in a different direction from the wind and can change throughout the day and month.

He said local knowledge of where tides flow and when they change is important in determining where search teams should look.

Penama Representatives Call for Unity

The developments come as Penama chiefs and community representatives in Port Vila gathered to express condolences, acknowledge support for the search and discuss the way forward.

Port Vila MP Jackson Lesa, speaking on behalf of Penama MPs and Penama citizens living in Port Vila, said the community needed to stand together during the tragedy.

“Penama needs to unite in situations like this.” 

He said the Government had a role in the search and rescue operation and noted that the Prime Minister was expected to visit Santo to meet affected families. Mr Lesa also thanked China for its support for the search and rescue operation and assistance following ashfall on Ambae.

Chairman of the Port Vila Ambae Council of Chiefs, Chief Alickta Vuti Kwirinavanu, thanked private institutions, aircraft and boat owners, and others who had supported the operation. He also acknowledged the prayers and assistance offered to affected families.

A note will be sent to the Council of Ministers calling for further action to support the rescue operation.

Penama community representative Ronnie Boe appealed to social media users to avoid negative comments that could hurt grieving families, including comments directed at the vessel’s owner and the Penama community in Port Vila.

Ambae Families Elect Committee in Santo

Meanwhile, Ambae families gathered in front of the Chief Nakamal in Sanma Province on the sixth day after the sinking to elect a committee to help determine the next steps.

Two representatives were selected from each of Ambae’s four areas—North, South, East and West. The committee will listen to concerns and ideas raised by families and work through them.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, 20 September, at 2pm. A silent parade will travel from Laplas to Samansen Wharf, where families and supporters will pay their respects and throw flowers into the sea in memory of their loved ones.

Search Continues Around Santo

Search teams continued operations around the south-east and east coast of Santo and nearby islands, with around 10 boats, including three ships, involved.

During the search, teams went ashore on Pilota Island and found floating items and debris believed to be from MV Matui. Rough seas and large waves continued to make the operation difficult.

Authorities have confirmed that 16 people have been found, including 14 survivors and two deceased. Thirty-eight people remain missing from the 54 people reported to have been aboard the vessel.

An Information Centre has been established at the NDMO office in Luganville to provide verified updates. Families have been urged to rely on information from the centre and avoid unconfirmed reports.

MV Matui sank on Friday, 11 September, while travelling between Santo and Ambae.