By Martha Taumata Faavae
Mulifanua Wharf where the Father’s Day heavy travel flow starts off from Upolu for the long weekend holiday in Savaii.
Inter-island travel from Mulifanua to Salelologa was at peak all week for Father’s Day holidaymakers to Savaii.
Scheduled weekend sailings on Friday and Saturday were at full loading all day.
The travel surge showed little or no signs of the strain the coronavirus pandemic has reportedly dealt the national economy.
Shipping officials said there was standby room only for cars all week.
The only noted difference for this year’s long holiday weekend is the solid bookings for cars for one week only.
Usually it is for two weeks with more than 50 cars allowed on the waiting list for the period.
“We still had travellers coming in during the week to book standby tickets but were told to go straight to the Mulifanua wharf,” the Shipping officials said.
Standby cars are normally on a first come basis after the confirmed vehicles drive into place.
Holiday travel spikes are common trends that the shipping staff on the wharf handles with quick turnarounds.
Sailings are no longer kept to a schedule but opened to meet the anxious traveling masses.
Health security measures in keeping with the State Of Emergency, SOE, orders are also closely monitored, according to Shipping officials.
“ The advise to travellers is to keep their patience the staff are there to organise the necessary health measures.”
The bulk of travellers live and work in Apia but their families are in Savaii. Any holiday is a certain weekend dash home.
The mass movement is reversed for this week with workers making their way back to Apia before the start of the new working week.
