Powerful seas battered MV Onemato en route to ‘Eua, ripping off its bow door and flooding the vehicle deck. Authorities confirmed no injuries among passengers or crew.
Footage shared on social media captures the moment rogue waves crash onto the open deck, as crew rush to secure stranded vehicles and flooded areas.
The ferry, bound from Tongatapu to ‘Eua, was forced to abandon its journey and return to port amid a severe weather system.
Tonga Meteorological Services had issued gale warnings for Vava’u, upgraded from earlier strong‑wind alerts. Ha’apai remains under gale warning, while Tongatapu and ‘Eua face strong‑wind alerts, plus heavy‑rain and flash‑flood advisories across all regions.
The notorious Tongatapu–‘Eua route is prone to rough conditions, taking about an hour in calm seas but much longer when storms prevail.
Maritime authorities are set to probe the incident amid calls for better safety measures on inter‑island services.
