One of the five people rescued by the Republic of Fiji Navy after their boat went overdue between Korolevu and Vatulele has shared details of their frightening ordeal at sea.
Elenoa Gaunavou told fijivillage News that they left Korolevu at around 3pm on Wednesday, and were heading to Vatulele when the boat's engine suddenly failed as they approached the reef near the island.
Gaunavou says the engine completely seized and, despite several attempts, they could not restart it.
She says they searched the boat for anything they could use to call for help, but there were no boats nearby and they had already drifted further out to sea.
Gaunavou says they dropped the anchor and tried to manage the situation as strong winds and waves pushed them farther away from Vatulele.
She says seawater was constantly entering the boat due to the rough conditions, and they had to keep bailing it out to stay afloat.
Gaunavou says she was the only person with a mobile phone, but its battery had gone flat by the time the engine failed, leaving them with no way to contact anyone.
She says despite the situation, they never lost faith and spent the night praying together that someone would find them.
Gaunavou says the boat owners contacted authorities after they failed to arrive in Vatulele at the expected time.
She says Navy officers later informed them that a report had been received from someone who saw a flare at sea.
Gaunavou says there were three flares on board, but only one worked as the other two was soaked wet.
She says they fired the single flare shortly after the engine failed, hoping someone would see it.
The engine stopped at around 5pm, and the group drifted at sea throughout the night before they were located and rescued by the Navy at around midday the following day near Cuvu.
The five people on board included Gaunavou, her nine-year-old son, the boat captain and two other passengers.
Insert:(VitiFM)Gaunavou on their encounter
She says they had to throw some heavy items overboard, including sacks of food, benzine and kerosene containers, to make the boat lighter and help keep it afloat as water continued to enter the vessel.
Gaunavou says she is grateful that everyone returned safely.
She says after reaching shore, they went to CWM Hospital because her son had been vomiting and feeling nauseous while they were drifting at sea.
Gaunavou says he was checked by doctors and is recovering well.
