“MY hope is in Jesus.”
These were the words of a desperate father, Waisale Vuetilovoni, whose son is among the seven people reported missing at sea after the fibreglass boat they were travelling in on Boxing Day failed to reach its destination.
His son, Ananaiasa Koroi, and six others had left Nawaikama Village on Gau for Levuka but were reported missing after they failed to return.
Speaking to this newspaper yesterday from Nawaikama, Mr Vuetilovoni said he had not lost hope that his son would return home. He and a group of men from the village had just returned from a prayer session.
Mr Vuetilovoni said he was shocked when he first heard the news of his son and the other men.
“They had gone to Levuka to do some shopping and they never returned,” he said.
“They were advised about the adverse weather but they just went ahead.
“So we called the Levuka Police Station to stop them from returning but I think by then they had Levuka already.”
Mr Vuetilovoni said they had just celebrated his son’s 21st birthday.
“He is my only son and we had just celebrated his birthday in August. I know he is still out there and I am putting my trust in God that my son will come back.” Mr Vuetilovoni said he loved his son a lot.
“Mai na vuni yaloqu kece, au sa vinakata saraga me lesu mai.” (With all of my being and heart I want him to come back) Emelley Levy, a cousin of Filimoni Tuisinu, who is also missing, said she hoped the boys were safe.
“I am just praying for them to be okay and that God will protect them wherever they are,” she said.
According to the Fiji Maritime Surveillance Rescue Coordination Centre (FMSRCC) the fibreglass boat has been found.
