Cook Islands Port Authority Defends Boat Removal Order
Company told to relocate boat which then ran aground on reef

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 13, 2012) – The Cook Islands Ports Authority chairman, Mike Henry, is defending the decision by Rarotonga’s harbormaster, Saungaki Rasmussen, to clear Avatiu harbor of boats early on Monday morning due to adverse weather.

Taio Shipping director, Tapi Taio, has blamed this decision for his fishing vessel, the FV Ana, being grounded on the Avatiu reef and breakwater after it broke a tow-line while being towed out of the harbor.

But Mr. Henry says the facts are clear and simple.

He says with the weather office advising high seas and strong winds there was a possibility of ships being trapped in the harbor, so it was vital that the harbormaster take action.

He says if the harbor and the vessels were damaged it could have led to Avatiu being unusable.

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