THE pre-Christmas bad weather has overturned a boat loaded with Seventh Day Adventist welfare service members from Bekabeka during a daring journey across the Gatokae and Vangunu waters in Marovo, Western Province.

Communications Officer, Martin Baedonga relates that that the mission on December 19, 2016, consist of six boats loaded with welfare members and supplies travelling from Bekabeka in Gatokae island to Nineveh in South Vangunu island when one of its boats met its fate in high waters.

“We left Bekabeka School on Monday morning December 19. The trip consist of Adventist Women and Men Welfare Service on a visit to Christian friends in South Vangunu with supplies of clothes and cooking pots bought for goodwill purpose.

“On board we were six members, three men and three women. And several others travelled in the other five boats for the same trip.

“At the beginning of the journey, the weather was fine and we anticipate to sharing out the supplies once arrive,” Martin relates.

He however, said along the journey the sea begins to develop to swells and the waves started tossing hard on the boats.

“The boats then begin to smashing through high waves, and there was no sound of laughter, as passengers in the six boats entered through the stormy weather.”

After taking a shelter in one of the islands, they continued the journey which unfortunately upturned one of their boats.

“We were distance away, about 100 meters when we could only see the white keel of one of the boats turned upside down, partly submerged in the water, and seen heads of people floating.

“Every supply that was transported in the boat was lost, but to our surprise only a bible belonging to one of the women was seen floating,” Martin shares.

He said inside the bible was the woman’s money which was safely recovered.

“We were surprised. This was the only item that survived out of every piece that went down in the sea. However, it was lucky for the woman that her money placed in this Bible was given back to her in full,” Martin said.

He said the boat and engine were salvaged from the sea.

“When we arrived at Nineveh we were welcomed by the Chief and his people. Clothes and Vanuatu cooking pots were distributed through the Chief’s committee in the community. After that a message of hope was given by our young Pastor, who also accompanied us on this trip,” said Martin.

Martin however, said the sea between Gatokae in the Western Province and big island of Vangunu has been always a frequent route to many people who dared to cross this sea.

“The sea can be at times, unwelcoming with a few have reportedly meet tough times,” he said.