Battered boat delivers occupants to safety after patch-up work to keep water out

TEN people are thanking their lucky stars after arriving safely on dry land when their banana boat developed a leak in rough seas off Morobe on Monday.
Boat owner Galinde Aitobe said they encountered rough seas between Siassi Island and Bobongara. Water seeped into the boat from a hole on the boat.
Aitobe said they managed to patch the hole by nailing a plank nail against it. They held on until they reached dry land.
“Instead of landing at Bobongara, we went all the way to Kanjarua Beach in Sialum. If we had been hit by more waves, we would have all died,” he said.
He said he bought the boat six years ago.
Aitobe said it was the first incident he had experienced at sea – a hole created by the force of the waves.
“Manufacturers must now know this fact and find ways to make the boat stronger to withstand rough seas,” he said.
He said there were times that banana boats would encounter difficulties against huge waves.
“Waves between Siassi Island and Bobongara are huge and rough and can damage boats.”
Aitobe warned people travelling through the area at this time of the year to be careful.