Timoci Lutunauga, the father of Maca Lutunauga, a Health Inspector with the Ministry of Health who was among the group reported missing at sea, struggled to hold back his emotions as he recounted the family's ordeal.
While speaking to fijivillage News, the retired police officer says he had never cried in his life, but was devastated when he received a call informing him that his eldest daughter was drifting at sea.
He says he was unable to sleep or eat for the past 48 hours.
Lutunauga shared that he told his family he could not bring himself to eat while knowing his daughter was out at sea without food.
Drawing on his experience as a former police officer who had travelled extensively, including throughout the Lau Group, he says he understood just how harsh and cold conditions at sea could be.
Throughout the ordeal, the father of two kept his family united through daily devotions, praying constantly for the safety of those missing.
Insert Lutunauga on ordeal 30th July
When news finally came that the group had been found, he said he could no longer contain his emotions and gave thanks to God for His mercy and love.
Lutunauga also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Lau, who used their own boats and resources to assist in the search, as well as the Fiji Navy and all other agencies including the Lomaiviti Princess 12 crew and individuals involved in the rescue efforts.
Timoci Lutunauga lives with his wife and their two daughters.
