HONIARA-BOUND passengers from Auki, Malaita province, have described their trip from Auki on Thursday, as the worst ever trip by a local shipping company.
A trip which should only take over 6 hours lasted up to 12 hours in five metre swells and strong winds.
The journey on board the old 360 Discovery fast-craft has caused mayhem to the passengers who described the trip as risky, and dangerous.
“360 Discovery charged us $250 per person, with appalling boat facilities and poor service,” one mother who wishes to remain anonymous said.
Reports reaching the Solomon Star said that most passengers were left dehydrated, after the journey took an unexpected turn of events.
The 360 Discovery, which was only traveling with one engine suddenly lost control with three massive thrusts from the engine, after the navigational steering wheel broke down, causing the boat to turn around in circles.
Top deck passengers can hear the captain calling for assistance by mobile phone.
“We are floating, if you could send over the 360 Flyer to to us,” the captain by the name Jack was heard saying.
“I think you should come tow us, it will only take 30 minutes for the 360 Flyer to reach us, but please call me back because my mobile is almost out of credit.”
Passengers were left in suspense unsure of what was happening.
It was after 30 minutes that a 360 Discovery staff member announced the situation, but he had to walk through the entire boat, announcing the situation several times as the intercom & speaker system was not working.
After an hour of uncontrolled floating in huge swells, the 360 Flyer finally arrived but it took another 30 minutes because of the swells, before the boat was towed back to Honiara, at only 3 knots in neutral gear.
About 3 nautical miles in, the engine suddenly stopped, causing again chaotic scenes, as the boat again swayed uncontrollably, by now in darkness while being towed behind the 360 Flyer.
Arriving into Honiara, the 360 Discovery could not dock at the wharf because of the broken Navigational Steering wheel, so all passengers had to be transferred onto the 360 Flyer with all their luggage at Mbokona harbour and the trip finally ended at almost 9pm when exhausted, dehydrated and hungry passengers disembarked from the craft.
Many passengers when getting off the boat could be heard saying, “First and last”.
On board the boat were several tourists, a group of girls from a school in Sydney Australia, Fijian nationals and local public servants attending to a Research program in Auki, a team of Under 16 Soccer Girls’ team, and local family members returning to Honiara.
Some of the tourists also missed their flights to Brisbane as 360 Discovery unexpectedly delayed Wednesday’s trip to Thursday.
