Bad weather over the weekend left hundreds of passengers stranded at the two main domestic wharves in Samoa, following the cancellation of all inter-island ferry services. 

On Friday afternoon, the Samoa Shipping Corporation (S.S.C.) and Samoa Ports Authority (S.P.A.) were forced to halt all trips between Upolu and Savai'i due to worsening weather conditions, which raised serious concerns over the safety of passengers, crew members, and vessels.

As heavy rain and rough seas disrupted the normal ferry schedule, many travellers found themselves stuck at the Salelologa Wharf in Savai'i and the Mulifanua Wharf in Upolu. 

Several passengers, some of whom were due to fly out of the country over the weekend, expressed frustration and concern, particularly as they were unable to reach their destinations in time for scheduled flights.

At the Salelologa Wharf on Saturday morning, passengers were seen anxiously awaiting news of the next available ferry. 

One stranded traveller, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that he had planned to travel to Apia on Friday for a medical appointment, but was left with no option after the cancellations. 

He arrived early on Saturday, hoping to catch a ferry that would take him to Apia for his check-up.

Other passengers expressed empathy for the wharf workers who had to deal with mounting frustrations and verbal complaints from stranded travellers. 

One woman, speaking with the Samoa Observer, said she felt sorry for the staff, who were subject to verbal attacks despite their best efforts. 

"They had been under a lot of pressure, with people blaming them for the cancellations," she explained. "But the workers are just doing their job, and they had to make the tough decision to prioritise our safety. I think we need to understand that they’re concerned about our well-being."

The situation was compounded by traffic congestion at Salelologa, as the wharf area became packed with frustrated passengers. 

Videos and photos shared widely on social media showed passengers sleeping on the wharf overnight, waiting for a ferry to go. 

The packed wharf created significant traffic jams in the busy central business area of Salelologa, further adding to the chaos.

As the weather began to improve on Saturday morning, the authorities permitted some morning ferry services to resume. 

However, many passengers were hesitant to board after seeing videos of choppy seas and rough conditions during the morning crossings. 

On social media, Samoans shared footage of the dangerous sea conditions, prompting concerns about the safety of travelling in such weather.

At the Mulifanua wharf, many passengers waiting for the noon ferry opted to turn back after seeing the conditions at sea. 

One passenger, who had planned to travel to Savai'i to assist with church activities over the weekend, told Samoa Observer, "It's better to be safe than sorry. We need to think about the safety of everyone, including the crew members on the ships." 

Another traveller, a mother who had been in Apia to care for her grandchildren, made the decision to stay behind and avoid the risky journey. 

"I would rather wait until the sky clears up before heading to Savai'i," she said. "I don’t want to put myself or others at risk."

The weather-induced disruption highlighted the challenges of maintaining essential inter-island transportation during the rainy season when rough seas and storms often cause delays and cancellations. 

Many passengers were left with little choice but to wait out the storm and hope for better weather conditions.

In the late afternoon, it was confirmed that the final ferry from Savai'i on Saturday had also been cancelled due to continuing adverse weather. 

This left many travellers with no clear timeline for when they would be able to continue their journeys.

The Samoa Shipping Corporation and the Samoa Ports Authority continue to prioritise safety above all else, with local authorities urging passengers to remain patient and understanding during these challenging conditions. 

While some frustrations remain, the emphasis on safeguarding lives remains the central priority, as weather conditions continue to pose a threat to safe travel between the two islands.