Local ferry operator, Goundar Shipping Limited, had to make an additional trip to Kadavu over the weekend to pick stranded passengers.
This extra run for the company was deemed a loss in business as the vessel brought back just over 30 passengers.
At least, more than 1000 people were waiting in Kadavu last Friday night when the MV Lomaiviti Princess berthed at Vunisea, hoping for a ticket to get back to Suva. Company managing director, George Goundar said they were held back to sort out passenger issues.
“We could only bring back 800 passengers as per the vessel’s requirement so I told the Captain to inform the people that I will be sending the Lomaiviti Princess II as soon as it arrives on Sunday,” Mr Goundar said.
Despite the loss, the company had to fulfill their promise to the people that they will return with another vessel.
“The Lomaiviti Princess has been running tirelessly this festive season until we ran into last Friday’s incident.
“We had over 1000 people who showed up at the jetty. They held the vessel up for almost four hours as they did not want to get off. The captain informed me about this, so I had to tell them to let the people know that I will be sending my second vessel once she comes back from the Lau Group.
“The Lomiviti Princess II arrived on Sunday morning, offloaded at 6am and headed for Kadavu to pick the remaining passengers of only 35 people.
“It’s a big loss for me but I have to keep my promise to the people– most people had returned home but we continued the voyage back to Suva,” he said.
Mr Goundar said Kadavu being a small island has a lot of movement during the festive season.