POLICE in Western Province rescued an overloaded ray boat with 16 people on board in the waters between provincial Gizo, Ranonga island, and Vella la Vella last week.

Those rescued include 10 adults and six children.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said his officers sighted the boat floating off the island of Liapari when returning from RC Nicholson College at Vonunu.

“The weather was bad at that time and the passengers were paddling the boat,” Mangau said.

“They’ve run out of fuel,” he added.

“When they saw my officers, they gave signal so the officers came to their rescue.”

Mangau said police transferred the women and children and towed the boat to Vonunu and dropped off women and children at the wharf.

“I call on the good people of Western Province to make sure they have enough fuel to travel, observe the weather carefully and do not overload boats during bad weather,” Mango said.

Outboard motor powered boat is the main form of transport in Western Province and other parts of the country.