2nd April 2007 Earthquake & Tsunami news from vessel

Date: Monday, 2 April 2007 Time: 7:40am Solomon Islands time

An earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale occurred approximately 10km below sea level approximately 45km SSE of Gizo.
The Pelena Express vessel, Namita Rose, was near Ringi on its way to Noro to collect passengers for the daily return ferry service to Gizo.
Nixon and the crew described the trees along the shoreline shaking and the coconuts falling.
Technical details of the earthquake can be found at Solomon Island earthquake and tsunami 2nd April 2007

Date: Monday, 2 April 2007 Time: 8:31am Solomon Islands time Vessel location: Noro

Nixon Silas - the skipper and owner of Pelena Express - phoned Peter Lynch of Pelena Energy (Australia) to advise of earthquake. The on-board satellite phone was used to call Australia.
Nixon reported that many wharves in Noro had been destroyed and there were many drums and debris floating in the sea. The water level was very high – possibly 5 metres. There were many currents moving the boat with “swirling water”.
The vessel travelled to Vavanga Village to check on Nixon's family - about 40km from Noro - dropping off people on the way and providing assistance where possible.
Upon arrival, the water was still high. Many houses have been damaged; including his mother’s which has been “flattened”. The underneath area of his house has also been damaged.
Nixon’s wife and business partner, Mareta, and their children Jordi, Luci, Namita are OK.
I do not know if the damage at Vavanga was primarily due to the earthquake or the water level increase. Therefore, I don’t know if people had a chance to flee their houses before the water rose. I have proposed that the water may rush out as quickly as it rushed in, leaving normally submerged areas dry. I think they’ll keep the boat in deeper water. I believe the water rose quickly, but not like a wave. Nixon said all the islands were “sinking”, which suggests to me not a violent wave.
Reports to Nixon by local 2-way radio indicate there has been substantial damage in Gizo, and the water also remains high.
Reports by the Australian media have been primarily out of Honiara. Emergency services have been mobilised.
The services of the boat, Namita Rose, have been made available by Nixon. I have passed this on to the various emergency services through RAMSI, Participating Police Force, SI Police Force, Emergency Response authorities, the Aust Council for International Development (ACFID), and Peter Lynch's local federal MP, Mr Luke Hartsuyker. It is ideally suited to such emergency work because it has no under-boat propeller and can access shallow areas.

Date: Monday, 2 April 2007 Time: 6:00pm Solomon Islands time Vessel location: Ringi

Latest news from Nixon in Solomon Islands:

Many houses flattened in his village, including his mother’s and brother’s
No reported casualties in Vavanga
Nixon’s house substantially damaged, with water inundating floor level. (Pelena Express’ office and store and PRESI’s office and store destroyed)
Main damage in the area of Kolombangara and Noro appears to have been from the earthquake, with water inundation a secondary effect. Gizo town appears to have suffered more from quake and wave damage (unconfirmed) with the local airport (Nusatupe) being swamped. Flights to Gizo have been cancelled
Nixon presently at Vavanga attending to family
This afternoon, boat is in the hands of Eddie (2^nd skipper) at Ringi. The boat’s been assisting to relocate people from the lower islands of Vona Vona Lagoon to Kolombangara
At 2pm (Solomon Time) today the seas were still about 1m above normal height
The boat is ready for emergency work if required. Emergency services have been notified through RAMSI & Aust Council for International Development here in Australia
Nixon was interviewed this morning by James Carlton of Radio Australia. This interview can be found by following the "Related Audio" link on the following page:http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1887048.htm

Eyewitness account from Ringi Cove - received by email Wednesday 4th April - from Mia Rimon describes her experience at Ringi (Ringe)

Was in Ringe, in Western Province when the earthquake hit, thank God not at night, watched with others as the sea drained in passages around our dormant volcanic island (Kolumbangara) and went full dry in passages, then within minutes quickly refilled, boiling rivers like class 1 rapids and then overflowing high tide marks and up hills, all boats floating and most wharfs made of logs destroyed, just washed away. Lots of dead fish on the water, as they were stranded in the drys. Big huge sounds before the first waves hit and high high pressure, my housegirl in Ringe was thrown from the veranda to the garage by the suction of the wind. Leaf houses floating by, whatever on points and low coastals were filled to the roofs (we watched) and then drained, etc., till some just joined the sea. Stood with a widow who said "there goes my house!!" and sure enough it was going by on the other side of the rapidly moving channel. By afternoon the coastal people had all Gone Bush and came to the forestry company where I was asking for tents, they basically went with clothes on their backs. Tremors have continued, a big one last night at 11 and 1 am and then a 6.1 quake today at about 10:30 am, so the islanders think another big one is coming. Many still standing houses, eg cement base, are unstable and could topple. Pilots at Munda today commented on canoes in trees in Nila (Shortlands) and Gizo area of Malekareva swept away (that is where the deaths were first reported) and Sasamunga (choiseul, quite north of us) is flattened. Some big damage is at Taro the north part of Choiseul. I saw a lot of aircraft in Munda this morning, did not even know there were that many planes in the whole country, as it is an old WW2 strip very safe and dry. Met a Munda friend who was sleeping in bush under plastic, reported all water pipes busted, so water will soon be a problem. I think water will be a very big problem for atolls and food, esp. Simbo, as the quake very near there, and they have an active volcano on the island they are worried about. So, tremors continue, Gizo is getting help, but many people are up on the hill waiting for relief as they are afraid to go back down to their houses. Deaths are just not reported yet more than 4 or so, but we fear there will be many, the strength of the water was so high that it is impossible people were not swept away. In any case, red cross and Nat disaster council were in Munda last night and doing assessment today, RAMSI helicopters took out 3 stretchers yesterday and we will know more later, some helicopter photos should be hitting ABC Australia channel as they hired a friend here who has a private chopter yesterday, so they would be the first shots you saw. We have not seen any....our house has strong foundations and way high on concrete reinforced posts on a cement base, so we will probably be okay, that is if everyone did not flee in terror and leave our engines and genset to the wind! Love to you all and thank you for prayers. Tero, your family is fine, Wagina okay, Tessie and Sonny are in Marovo and Nellie and Nick will be in the bush, so do not fear total destruction and death, Nusabaruku is not flattened, it just had some damage, but nothing like Malekereva. Love Mia

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Date: Tuesday 3rd April 2007 Vessel location: Gizo, Noro, Kolombangara

Today the vessel assisted people get to higher ground.
A return trip made between Noro and Gizo
Gizo badly damaged
Many hungry people. Water supplies damaged and river water still muddy. Water tanks damaged
Gizo no fuel, but Pelena Express vessel can get to Noro to refuel with diesel

Date: Wednesday 4th April 2007 Time: 10:09am Solomon Islands time Vessel location: Gizo

Travelled this morning from Noro to Gizo
People very hungry - especially on Ranongga and Vella la Vella and Simbo
Helicopter flying over villages

Date: Wednesday 4th April 2007 Time: 1:04pm Solomon Islands time Vessel location: Gizo

Nixon Silas has just come from a meeting with the chairman of the Disaster Committee, Mr Arnold Moven, who is also the PS to for the Provincial Assembly.
Mr Moven informed Mr Silas that the Province has no money to charter any boats. Charter rates have been supplied to the Office of Special Coordinator of RAMSI & AUSAID in Solomon Islands.
Peter Lynch of Pelena Energy in Australia (the boat builder) sent additional requests to the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Downer suggesting that the Australian Government should directly charter the Pelena Express vessel and make it available to the Disaster Committee. Also sent additional notification to Peter Lynch's local MP, Mr Luke Hartsuyker.
The Premier of the Western Province, Mr Alex Lokopio, announces that there is no fuel in Gizo. The Pelena Express vessel does not have this problem as it can access diesel in Noro.

Date: Thursday 5th April 2007 Time: 9:58am Solomon Islands time Vessel location: Taekurae Village on Simbo

The Pelena Express jet boat has travelled this morning from Gizo to villages on Ranonnga and then to villages on Simbo.

The boat is presently at Taekurae Village on Simbo. Nixon reports:

The village is completely wiped out. Remains of buildings scattered across ground.
Another person (an elderly woman) died this morning.
The boat brought a doctor from Gizo. Many injured.
They are using a loud speaker from the boat to call people down from the nearby hills – but people are too scared to come back to the beach at this stage fearing another wave. The doctor has therefore gone up into the bush
The boat delivered about 30 large bags of rice & clothing to Ranonnga and 40 bags rice plus clothing to Simbo
One of the SI patrol boats has visited Simbo since the quake. Difficulties getting goods to shore because the patrol boat must anchor in deep water. Hardly any canoes left, so people cannot get out to the patrol boat.
The Pelena Express boat can go directly to the beach
Ranongga island appears to have lifted up, by maybe 4 metres. Much coral exposed.
The boat is taking some people back to Gizo. I could hear much coughing in the background.

Date: Thursday, 5 April 2007 Time: 6:45pm Solomon Islands time Vessel Location: Noro

Today travelled from Gizo to Ngaidavla and Keara Villages and others on Ranongga. Delivered Rice & clothing.
Then to Taekurae and Lengana Villages and others on Simbo. Delivered rice and clothing
Then back to Gizo. Total 1 tonne of rice delivered plus clothes, buckets, noodles, & biscuits.
Nusutupe Airfield (Gizo) opened for landing of Hercules aircraft. Pelena Express shuttling supplies from airfield to Gizo township (the airstrip is on its own island)
Total estimated travel today 200km
Pelena Express first aid delivery to most villages
People very hungry
Boat presently in Noro. Hercules just flew overhead, probably heading back to Henderson (Honiara)
Back to Gizo tomorrow. National Disaster Committee (NDC) meeting in Gizo tomorrow. Nixon to make representation.
Nixon very hungry and tired.
In Australia, Peter Lynch's local MP, Mr Luke Hartsuyker, has sent a letter to Canberra by post today. Upon requesting more immediate contact be made, Mr Hartsuyker informed Peter Lynch that the Aust Govt will not directly engaged any business. We are confused this has not been taken up as we were immediately "on the ground" at the time of the earthquake with a unique boat, access to fuel, and communication via satellite phone, HF & VHF radios.

Date: Friday 6th April 2007 (Easter Good Friday) Time: 2:04pm Solomon Islands time Vessel Location: Gizo

Ready to depart Gizo back to Noro
Tomorrow plan to head to Kolombangara
Today - back to normal ferry schedule between Noro and Gizo. Require money to buy fuel. More than 30 passengers on board.

Date: Sunday 8th April 2007 (Easter Sunday) Time: 11:30am Solomon Islands time Vessel Location: Heading for Vella Lavella - off Vavo Island

Red Cross have chartered vessel
40 bags rice on board
6 Red Cross officers on board
heading for Serulando Village

Date: Monday 9th 2007 (Easter Monday)

Continued chartering of vessel by the Red Cross

Date: Tuesday 10th April 2007 Time: 1:44pm Solomon Islands time Vessel Location: Near Ringi, Kolombangara Island

Vessel currently chartered by the Red Cross
100 bags of rice (20kg each) plus clothing, cooking pots delivered to villages along Kolombangara's South-West coastline, including villages of Vavanga, Ghatere, Hundi, and Ringi.
This afternoon plan to head back to Gizo to re-load for tomorrow.
Plan to complete visiting other villages on Kolombangara.
The National Disaster Committee (NDC) in Gizo enquired today to charter vessel. Coordination of vessels role of NDC.

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Date: Thursday 12th April 2007 Time: 12:55pm Solomon Islands time Vessel Location: Luti Bay, Choisel

Approximately 72Nm (nautical miles) from Gizo
Red Cross continue the charter of the vessel
Vessel visited a number of villages, including Kakaza Village
Main damage along Choisel coastline from wave, not earthquake. "Wave strip out houses" according to Nixon. Damage everywhere.
Heading on to Papara, about 14km away
To Sassumunga this afternoon
12 people on board including Red Cross persons and representatives from Kastom Gaden
50 bags rice & noodles.
(News from Iriri Village on Kolombangara: wharf destroyed and now under water; new church (was under construction) completely destroyed; most houses damaged, some destroyed)
Peter Lynch received email from Red Cross in Honiara. They wish to continue chartering of the vessel next week. They would be pleased for the Australian Govt to charter the boat. "Because decisions take time to be reached we can not wait but to reach people needed to be reached."
We remain unsuccessful with our suggestions to the Aust Govt to directly charter the vessel and make it available to the disaster. Dorrigo community (town where the boat builder, Pelena Energy, is based) is showing continued support and encouragement.