Aunu’u has been without boat transportation since last Saturday when the channel between the island and Auasi was closed due to rough seas.
On Tuesday, the Department of Search and Rescue dispatched its Zodiac vessel to the island to pick up family members who had traveled from off-island for a funeral, needing to return home.
Director of the Department of Search and Rescue Utumoe Alefosio said some of the travelers were booked to return home on Monday night, but because there was no transportation, they missed their flights
He said after receiving several calls requesting help for the stranded travelers, the decision was made to dispatch he Zodiac as this was an emergency situation.
On Tuesday, the Zodiac made 7 trips to transport the affected travelers to Tutuila so that they could catch flights to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa.
