transport at Tokelau

Moves for inter-atoll transport at Tokelau

An inter-atoll service may be in store for Tokelau be tween 18 months and two years from now. The only way to move between the three atolls at present is to wait for the Nauruan ship Cenpac Rounder, which makes a charter voyage from Apia, Western Samoa to Tokelau every 10 to 12 weeks. This means that people on the three atolls are isolated from each other except during the visits of the Cenpac Rounder about five times a year.

Two possibilities exist for the inter-island service. One alternative would be to base a 27m or 30m boat in Apia, which would visit Tokelau more regularly than the Cen pac Rounder. It would be both smaller and less ex pensive, and would carry peo ple between the atolls. The second possibility would be to have a smaller boat, maybe 12m or 15m, that could be moored at one of the atolls, and stay at Tokelau most of the time to transport people and supplies.

As a result of early slave raids by Peruvian slavers, hundreds of Tokelauans were carried off to labour on South American plantations be tween 1850 and 1870, and the population of each atoll was until more recent times con centrated on a single islet on the west side of each lagoon.

But on Fakaofo, where the population has increased to a point where the people are now occupying two islets, plans have been made to ob tain a school boat to carry children between the two islets.

Last year the school boat was designed in New Zealand and the hull was sent to Apia, where it remains. The boat has been judged as unsuitable for Tokelauan conditions, and other possibilities are being considered for providing a boat for the school children.

Another problem remain ing to be solved is the wooden whaleboats, which are used to load and discharge people and supplies from the Cenpac Rounder. On nearly every trip, the boats get damaged and have to be repaired in Apia. One alternative now being considered is to have aluminium whaleboats built for experimental trials. It’s

planned to have two whale boats of heavy duty aluminium built initially, and, if these are successful, aluminium boats will even tually replace the present fleet of six wooden boats.

The possibilities for aluminium boats are also being explored in Western Samoa, where the first aluminium fishing boat is ex pected to be completed by Christmas.

From JUDIE TEALL in A pic

Tonga Values The

Warner Service

While the Tonga National Line and Union Steam Ship Co have reduced the fre quency fo shipping services to Tonga, Warner Pacific Line, a Tonga-registered company owned by Peter Warner ol Australia, added another ship, the Aidan, to its fleet.

This is the third vessel own ed by Mr Warner trading be tween Tonga and New Zea land. In addition, one of the three goes to the South Island a route that the other twc companies would not look at but one that is greatly valued by Tongan farmers.

In addition , Warner Pacific vessels also deliver and pick up cargo from Vava’u and Ha’apai, something which other ships would not dc unless there is a reasonable amount of cargo involved Warner Pacific Line also has a number of other vessels op erating locally.

Mr Warner is also involved in fishing, ferroconcrete con struction and engineering works.

Compagnie Generale

Rejigs Services

Compagnie Generate

Maritime has reorganised it services from North Europe and Mediterranean ports to the Pacific Islands to take ii Sydney, using three roll-om roll-off vessels and thre* multi-purpose vessels. Tin ships may pick up cargo ii Sydney for the Islands, but not for Europe.

The service starts in Sydney and is via Noumea, Vila, Sam to and Papeete to Mediterrai nean and North European ports. Outward voyages from Europe to Sydney are vi; Papeete, Santo, Vila ano Noumea.