THE fast craft serving the Honiara, Tulagi, Auki routes was forced to make a full turn but only after passengers were evacuated safely onboard another boat on Thursday.
An eye-witness said 360 Discovery was travelling with a load of passengers when huge smoke stared bellowing out creating a huge dark screen behind.
“It looked as if the boat was about to go on fire. It kept puffing out thick smokes that looked as if fire has started in the engine room.
“Passengers were in shock therefore an emergency call was made for rescue.”
The witness said the Fire Service members were called.
“They rushed in with another boat and passengers were quickly transferred.”
The boat has been put out from service for maintenance for almost a month and was only put back onto the water recently.
There were talks of engine problem but this paper could not confirm with the boat’s engineers.
360 Discovery is one of the only two fast crafts that service the Honiara – Auki route. Others are normal passenger boats.
Discovery and Pelican Express have been very useful especially at a time when the only Airport close to Auki, Gwaunaru’u is still close.
