PASSENGER boat, MV Fair Glory, was forced to take refuge at Bunikalo in Marovo Lagoon, Western Province, on Tuesday night due to bad weather.
MV Fair Glory made its weekend trip on Sunday morning from Honiara to Gizo via all Western Province ports.
It spent Monday night at Gizo before departing the provincial capital on Tuesday morning.
However, after reaching Bunikalo, it was forced to delay its night journey because of the heavy showers, strong wind and high swells.
The boat was filled with students returning home and to Honiara for their school holiday.
Reports said because the captains and crew were concerned with the safety of the boat and passengers, mostly young children, the delay trip had to be delayed.
A passenger onboard said nearly 75 percent of the passengers comprised mostly young children under the age of 16.
She acknowledged the captain for making the right decision to delay the trip.
MV Fair Glory was reported to have departed Bunikalo at 4am on Wednesday and was expected to arrive in Honiara just around 6pm.
The waters between Marovo, Russells and Guadalcanal can be very rough during bad weather.
On a fine day, the boat normally travels from Marovo to Honiara on Tuesday night arriving early Wednesday morning.
The weather office early this week continued to issue strong wind warnings to all mariners to avoid traveling at sea because such strong winds for safety.
The Western Province in the past weeks experienced heavy showers which also denied mariners from traveling between the islands.
The bad weather is due to a low trough north of the country, the weather office said.
By MOFFAT MAMU
