Ratotodro family honors MV Captain Inoke

Nothing could dampen the spirit of families from Koro in Levuka, Lomaiviti as they waited tirelessly for the arrival of Goundar Shipping Limited’s- MV Captain Inoke.

While the event was an auspicious one for the Goundar Company, it was an extra special one for the Ratotodro family as the vessel was named after their late father, Captain Inoke Ratotodro.

His oldest daughter, Melaia Ratotodro couldn’t hold her tears as the vessel berthed at Port Mua-i-Walu remembering and honouring her father.

“Our dad who was one of the longest serving staff of Goundar Shipping Limited passed away last October and in honour of him, Goundar named this vessel after him,” Ms Ratotodro said.

“We may miss him dearly, but what we are grateful for what the company has done.

“He was a very hardworking man, and he actually stayed with this company for the last 30 years.”

Managing director, George Goundar while celebrating his latest addition of vessels, said Mr Ratotodro was a close friend who was dearly missed.

“When I started this company in 2011, he stood by me and helped me with getting my company started,” he said.

“He gave me advise and had knowledge about how the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji worked.

He was basically running the company; he was in charge of the deck and the politics behind the company while I was in charge of the engineering.”

MV Captain Inoke was captained by Sainimere Qutonilaba, 31, from Savudrodro, Savusavu, Vanualevu.

She started with Goundar Shipping in 2011 as a cadet and has been excelling since then bringing in Goundar’s many new vessels from overseas.

A traditional ceremony was done before they could board the vessel for a tour.

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