Research vessel Anuanua Moana welcomed to the Cook Islands
To mark the arrival of their research vessel, Anuanua Moana, license holder Moana Minerals hosted a blessing and naming ceremony at Avatiu harbour yesterday.
Anautoa Rangatira Tuaine Unuia conducted the customary "Kiritianga Maro Tai" salt cleansing ritual for the ship and its crew, followed with a traditional hymn from the Ruatonga and Avatiu Ekalesia, and Orometua Vaka Ngaro's spiritual message and prayer.
Soon after, Moana Minerals CEO Hans Smit, Tuaine Unuia, and Orometua Ngaro, along with Papaaroa Adventist Schools', Cordelia Boaza, moved to the head of the ship for the blessing and reveal of Anuanua Moana’s name. Boaza was the winner of the vessel’s naming competition.
The speakers for the day emphasised the critical importance of the Marae Moana, bringing the Cook Islands people along the journey, and creating a knowledge base of the Cook Islands' deep ocean and mineral resources. During his address, Kaumaiti Nui Travel Tou reaffirmed the House of Ariki’s support for seabed minerals exploration and anticipated that one day they would be around to bear testimony to the benefits from the sectors development.
Prime Minister Mark Brown reflected on the value of ocean exploration to provide the necessary knowledge and experience for the Cook Islands to become stewards of the deep ocean and its resources and set a course for future generations to navigate. “Ocean exploration gives us a sense of human progress and discovery,” said PM Brown.
“We understand the vital importance of our ocean to our security, our prosperity, and indeed to our very survival. Exploration is the key to unlocking our oceans talents responsibly and sustainably,” said PM Brown.
“This wealth of knowledge will help us to achieve our Marae Moana goals and guide us in the important decisions we will need to make in the future about our seabed minerals sector,” said PM Brown.
The Anuanua Moana has a scientific laboratory and exploration equipment onboard including sampling and surveying tools which will be used to collect water and sediment samples and to map the seafloor. She is capable of carrying up to 28 scientists in addition to her 14 dedicated crew members.
CEO Smit spoke about the research vessel’s long voyage from the Netherlands way to the Cook Islands. “Her journey across the oceans to her new home has now come to an end, she is here to stay. Her new and exciting adventure exploring the Cook Islands and its waters is about to begin. We invite you all to be part of this journey,” said Smit.
PM Brown remarked that the Anuanua Moana was very much a Cook Islands vessel. “It has a Cook Islands name. It flies the Cook Islands flag. It is operated by a Cook Islands company. It is managed by a local Cook Islands business. It will be based here in the Cook Islands, and ultimately, if it is successful in its mission, it will benefit the people of the Cook Islands,” he said.
Tomorrow, the Anuanua Moana will set sail on her first research expedition to map the seabed in Moana Minerals licence area. On her way, she will also be passing through Aitutaki and the Nga-Pu-Toru, and will map the seabed that she passes over. These survey maps will be made public and shared with the respective islands.
Prime Minister Mark Brown’s speech is available here.
Queries may be directed to Dede Mingi: [email protected]
Seabed Minerals Authority