The 132 passengers travelling on board Lutheran Shipping vessel, MV Ialibu when the vessel ran aground on Tuesday night at Kampalap Beach on Siassi Island are all safe on the ground and now in the process of being evacuated from the island.
According to the National Maritime Safety Authority, a rescue vessel had departed Madang for Siassi Island and dinghies are being prepared to transfer the stranded passengers.
The report also stated that passengers were supplied with sufficient amount of food and are being properly sheltered.
National Maritime Safety Authority Chief Executive Officer Paul Unas said from initial reports, the vessel’s Starboard Engine became flooded where the captain dropped the stern anchor to keep the vessel from being washed ashore.
However, the strong North West winds and high swells eventually dragged the vessel ashore at 10:30pm on Tuesday night.
Lutheran Shipping have refused to give out any details about the incident at this time.
The National Maritime Safety Authority is carrying out its investigations on the cause of the incident to take appropriate action.