His Majesty King Tupou VI has officially commissioned the new inter island ferry for the island of ‘Eua.
The MV Maui arrived in Tonga from Auckland on Saturday last week captained by Samiuela Pua, said Sunia Fili, the Chairman of ʻEua Sea Transport Council.
The TP$1, 776, 464.61 ferry was first owned by the Fullers Group of New Zealand before the Eua Council purchased it.
The 37 long and 7.2 metres wide aluminium double-hull ferry could carry 390 passengers and six crew.
The name Maui was chosen by the King because it was commonly used to name historical and traditional places in the island, a statement from the Palace office was quoted as saying.
As Kaniva News reported, the ferry was initially due in Tonga for last month’s Royal Agriculture show, but there were technical holdups including works required for its insurance cover.
This is the second ferry for ʻEua after the Council launched the MV ʻOnemato in 2013.
