Lady Moana at the Avatiu Port on Wednesday July 24, 2024. The boat was released to Taio Shipping while investigations continue into the disappearance of the 22-year-old Fijian national who fell overboard the vessel last weekend. Photo: Cook Islands New
The Ministry of Transport is investigating the case of a 22-year-old Fijian crew member of the Lady Moana who fell overboard during a return voyage from Mangaia last weekend.
Secretary for the Ministry of Transport, John Hosking, offered condolences to the family who held a private memorial service for Luke Vakayawa in Rarotonga on Friday.
Hosking emphasised that all accidents occurring on vessels within Cook Islands waters are taken seriously.
"We are conducting an investigation into this fatality, in parallel with the investigation by the lead agency Cook Islands Police Services."
Hosking explained that their investigation focused on the safety of the inter-island cargo vessel and its operation.
"And we look for any lessons we can use to help make our waters safer," he said. "The Ministry takes all accidents on board vessels in our waters seriously."
Lady Moana is owned and operated by Taio Shipping Limited. This is the second incident involving the vessel where someone has gone missing overboard. In September 2019, a seven-year-old boy went missing while returning with his dad from his family's home island of Rakahanga.
On Monday, Taio Shipping said they could not comment at this time as investigations and search efforts were underway.
Hosking added that the vessel was licenced by the Transport Services Licensing (TSL) and while the investigation is ongoing, the Ministry cannot provide further comment at this time.
The findings will be shared in due course.
Cook Islands Police media and strategic advisor, Trevor Pitt, confirmed that police investigations are also continuing and the file for the coroner has not been completed.
Pitt added that the Ministry of Transport had been informed about the release of the boat to Taio Shipping.
"Police were satisfied with having completed this part of their work in terms of the vessel. However, the investigation is continuing."
Vakayawa fell overboard the Lady Moana cargo vessel while en-route to Rarotonga from Mangaia on Saturday night/Sunday morning last week.
The police patrol boat Te Kukupa II joined the search after receiving a distress call from the cargo vessel early Sunday morning. The search conducted on Sunday and Monday was unsuccessful. The search was stood down on Tuesday.
Vakayawa arrived in the Cook Islands in March 2023 and began working for the shipping company.
Described as shy, he was well-regarded within his family and the wider community. He was also a member of Friends of Fiji Inc. in Rarotonga.
-This article was originally published by Cook Islands News.
