Caption: The newly launched Malolo Cat IV Photo: MUNAUWAR KHAN
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Tourists and locals of the Malolo Island gathered to witness the first ever $3 million locally constructed catamaran, “Malolo Cat IV” launched at the Musket Cove Island, earlier today.
Director of the Leeward Island services, Jayson Raffe said the boat can carry more passengers and also safer for them.
“Malolo Cat 4 is the largest composite boat built in Fiji that can accommodate 181 passengers, 160 indoor premium economy seats from Bertereaux Australia.”
“Malolo Cat was built in Fiji, as an alternative to importing a vessel. This allowed us tomtrailor the boat to our needs, take a more commanding role in the design process, whilst employing as many as 40 local staffs,” he said.
Raffe said they have been working on the boat for a long time and it has been made possible through the hard work and dedications of the people.
“We have been planning and working on the boat for around five years, and had to stop for about two years due to global financial of the boat. Then with the determination of forty locals and some sub-contractors, we managed to continue and finished it,” he said.
Chief Guest at the ceremony, Honorable Minister for Tourism & Attorney General, Aiyaz Saiyed Kaiyum said the launching is a milestone achievement for the country as a whole.
“Today marks the launch of the first ever vessel built in Fiji, and we should all celebrate in this,” he said.
The new boat will follow the same schedule returning four trips a day, and will replace the Cat 2 for renovation.