‘The safety of passengers is our main concern’

The Patterson Brothers Shipping service in the Northern Division will resume once the weather clears.

On Monday more than 200 passengers had to return from Nabowalu Jetty in Vanua Levu because the boat, Spirit of Love could not transport passengers to Suva because of strong winds.

However, the captain managed to berth the boat at the jetty allowing passengers on board to disembark.

Later the boat departed for Bua Bay for safety reasons.

Patterson Brothers Shipping managing director George Patterson confirmed to Fiji Sun yesterday that the company had decided to resume shipping services when the weather clears.

“The safety of passengers is our main concern and many of them do not want to take the risk of travelling by boat during this bad weather,” Mr Patterson said.

“We are monitoring the weather situation and once the weather is clear and safe for our passengers to travel, we will surely resume shipping services.”

Meanwhile, Bligh Water Shipping service from Savusavu to Natovi is operating as scheduled.

This was confirmed by the company chief executive officer William Vulivuli yesterday.

“Our shipping services operating from Savusavu Jetty is normal,” he said.

“The route that we are following from Savusavu to Natovi is safe and we have managed to transport passengers across without any problems.”

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

Feedback:  shratikan@fijisun.com.fj