Tui Lau Loss Shocks Fiji

From Sue Wendt, in Suva Shock and consternation were the local reactions when the Tui Lau was abandoned as a total loss after the 800-ton tourist carrier was grounded on a reef near Totoya Island, 120 miles south-east of Suva, about 11 p.m. on October 25.

Two attemps to pull her off the reef by the guided missile destroyer HMS Fife failed.

The anti-aircraft frigate HMS Puma stood by while 42 passengers, including about seven children, and 37 crew were winched to safety by the Wessex helicopter off the Fife.

Tui Lau had grounded forward on then slewed around into rough seas and began to break up. She was heading from Kabara to Suva.

The three overseas passengers were an American widow Mrs. Elizabeth Museus of Los Angeles, and two Wellington businessmen Vern Edwards and his brother-in-law, Alan Ramsey.

No casualties

There were no casualties and all on board were calm.

Conditions were described as un pleasant and nasty for boats.

Passengers later praised the calm ness of the crew, especially Tui Lau’s hostess, Lulu Leiser of Lomaloma.

She constantly moved among first class and other passengers to keep them calm.

Without the help of Fife rescue operations would have been far more perilous and Fiji’s Governor, Derek Jakeway went aboard Fife later to thank the ship’s company for the

rescue by speaking over Fife's internal television service.

Last off Tui Lau was Commander Jerome Benson, executive officer of Fife, who directed uplift operations of passengers and crew from Tui Lau’s deck.

Captain Don Wendt was Tui Lau’s master.

The loss of Tui Lau is a severe blow to both commercial and tourist development and demoralising for the Fijian people.

She was bought earlier this year by a group of Fiji provinces, the Marine Co-operative Association, and cost over £FIOO,OOO to put into service (PIM, Aug., p. 47).

Mr. C. D. Aidney, a director of her managing agents, Williams and Gosling, said Tui Lau’s loss was “a moral tragedy for the Fijian people”.

“The Fijians had such an affection for the ship which they regarded as their own,” he said.

A replacement?

He said a replacement must be obtained and it was not the end of the association.

Insurance cover is expected to recoup some of loss but not all.

Salvage chances seemed extremely slight but attempts were made by the Uluilakeba to recover passenger luggage.

Shortly after Rob Wright took this picture of the "Tui Lau" on the reef she began to break up and became a total loss.