There are hopes in Bougainville a vessel that handles rough seas will soon be in operation to service the outer islands.
Over the past ten years dozens of people from the autonomous Papua New Guinea province have lost their lives on the stretch of water from mainland Bougainville to the Atolls and Nissan Island.
Most recently newly appointed Bougainville Health Minister, Charry Napto, his wife and son, and three others were lost at sea on such a voyage.
The waterways of Buka Photo: AFP
The head of the Bougainville Disaster Office, Lieutenant-Colonel John Imaka, said these trips are being undertaken by people using banana boats, which cannot handle rough seas.
But he said they hope to have a more appropriate vessel in service by December.
"This particular one we are looking at is before the end of this year. We are working with partners and hopefully when it does come through we give all the requirements quickly [so] that can materialise before the end of the year," he said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Imaka pointed out that finding a vessel that is small enough to enter lagoons, where unloading can be carried out, but still capable of handling rough seas, is the issue.
He said there has been no sign of cabinet minister, his family and crew despite an extensive search.
