All in the same boat

Communications between Tuvalu’s nine islands are very poor. Our only old ship often breaks down in port or at sea.

It makes seven or eight knots at top speed and if one engine breaks down it makes three to four knots in good weather only.

She is built to carry 12 saloon and about 40 deck passengers but often has to carry as many as 100 people to ease the backlog of waiting passengers.

Medical emergency cases have occasionally been delayed in reaching the hospital and some, especially from the northern islands, could not be carried.

Deck passengers are exposed to the weather. The ship should have been refitted long ago. It’s not so bad for the southern islanders who are 40 to 60 miles away. But for the poor northern people it’s a two or three day trip.

Britain has been asked seve ral times for a replacement but has not complied.

Tuvalu people have noted with shame the treatment they have received from the former colonial power. If necessary we should cease to look to Britain for help and approach any country willing to assist us, be it

Japan or Russia or anybody else.

Kiribati was once a partner with Tuvalu under the UK colonial structure. And now we see Kiribati with four good ships plus, maybe, four aircraft.

We compare this with the treatment we have received from the mother country.

Our boat may still be sea worthy but it is unreliable. The Tuvalu government should have given the UK all the details and sought a replacement long ago.

Telavi Fati,

Tefolaha Community Centre, Funafuti.