It comes just over three weeks after another unlicensed boat carrying several New Zealand Anglican Church delegates the capized and sank.
“A whale-watching boat carrying passengers has been involved in an accident in Vavaʻu today, raising fresh safety concerns following two other serious boating incidents in Tonga in recent weeks,” according to a Kaniva Tonga report.
The news outlet reported that images from the scene showed the vessel partially submerged in choppy waters, with much of the boat sitting low beneath the surface and its canopy tilted into the sea.
According to Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota, passengers were on board the vessel when the accident occurred, the report said.
It added no loss of life had been reported.
“Details remained limited, including how the accident occurred, how many passengers were aboard, and whether police were called to the scene.
“The licensing status of the vessel involved in today’s accident has yet to be confirmed,” the Kaniva Tonga report said.
