WILMER JOEL
RMI’s new vessel the MV Ribuuk Meto finally reached Majuro last Friday evening after being forced to shelter in Ailinglaplap’s lagoon last week due to poor ocean conditions.
Government authorities and the representatives of Lerooj
Esther Zedkeia were present to institute the welcoming ceremony for this ship at Majuro’s passage into the lagoon while onboard RMI Sea Patrol boats that were dispatched to greet and escort the new LCU.
“This is a government ship that will greatly help the government and the people of the RMI with the means of providing service to the outer islands,” said Lerooj Amon Luther.
The informal greeting at the pass Friday afternoon was followed Tuesday afternoon this week with a formal ceremony at Uliga Dock.
It was an auspicious moment for the welcoming and christening of the newly purchased RMI vessel MV Ribuuk Meto at the Uliga Dock.
President David Kabua, government authorities, traditional leaders, and other leaders were present to witness the momentous occasion.
“This ship has two engines, each of these engines generates 720 horsepower,” said Minister of Finance Alfred Alfred, Jr. during his remarks welcoming the vessel. “And this ship can accelerate to 11 knots.”
He noted that the vessel had been in dry dock in Malaysia for an overhaul as well as to renew the paint of the ship and put the new name on it: “MV Ribuuk Meto.”
The event concluded with the cutting of the ribbon for the ship by First Lady Ginger Kabua, Lerooj Margaret Bigler, and Lerooj Takabar Ishiguro