The Patterson Brothers Shipping Company Limited is aiming at digitizing its entire operation by June next year, so says company media liaison manager, David Patterson.

“This will ensure that overloading and offloading of cargo and passengers problem  a thing of the past as we move into the future,” Mr Patterson said.

Mr Patterson made the revelation after about 100 passengers and vehicles due to travel to Natovi on their vessel Spirit of Harmony on Sunday July 8, 2018 were left behind at Nabouwalu Jetty in Bua.

“Firstly, I have contacted, via phone an email, and apologized to the customers that were left behind on Sunday morning, as we know that it is indeed an inconvenience and unfortunate circumstance to be left behind at any rural jetty after having traveled so far to get there,” he said.

Mr Patterson admitted that the incident was due to miscommunication between their Labasa and Suva office.

He also said that their second vessel Spirit of Altruism is still undergoing maintenance works.

All those that were stranded at Nabouwalu returned to their destinations on Monday.

On July 8 those that were offloaded at Nabouwalu and their vehicles included civil servants and the Fiji Police band.

“On the Sunday (July 8) morning, our pursers and the master noticed that the number of passengers on board was about to exceed the allowable limit and made the decision to offload the bus and its passengers,” he said.

“This decision was not taken lightly, as they know that they will have to face the backlash from those that would be left behind, however, the safety of the vessel and the precious lives of passengers and crew members on board will always take precedence.”

While this was not the first time such offloading has happened, Mr Patterson said they were devoting a lot of their time and resources to sorting the issue out.

“Currently we are investing into our staff training, software and hardware upgrades and staff recruitment drives to avoid issues such as this.

“Patterson Shipping is currently aiming to digitize its entire operation by June next year to ensure that problems like this become a thing of the past as the company moves into the future.

“Lastly, we humbly ask that our loyal and valued customers bear with us as we grow through a period of change, as this change will in the end benefit them with improved customer service, reduced loading times, better reporting mechanisms for changes to schedules and an overall improvement of our relationship with those that we serve.”