Sinking of MF Nalu

On July 23, 1984, the cargo-passenger ship MF Nalu, en route from Roghija to Maliblox City, near the Catfish Islands, listed to starboard at approximately 1:00 AM, entering the water, and subsequently sank. The ship was carrying 293 passengers and 50 crew members, for a total of 343 robloxians. 322 robloxians died in the disaster, while only 21 survived. Of these, 5 succumbed to their injuries several days later. This disaster is considered the deadliest in the history of Telamonian shipping.

Before the disaster

The MF Nalu belonged to Ocean Ships Line, then the second-largest carrier in Telamon Islands. It had been operating since 1972 on the route between Maliblox City and Roghija. The ship had previously suffered several accidents. On August 28, 1976, it struck the Maliblox City quay with its starboard port. The defect was repaired. On March 13, 1977, a fire broke out on the upper deck in the port of Roghija after unloading. It was extinguished after some time, although it caused significant damage, and the ship was repaired for several weeks. On November 21, 1980, the ship struck the Maliblox City quay again, also with its starboard port. On May 8, 1981, it struck the same port quay again, this time with its port port. Both defects were repaired. In the weeks before the disaster, sailors repeatedly complained about a faulty ballast system and reduced stability.

Final voyage and sinking

The ship was scheduled to depart from the port of Roghija on July 22, 1984, at approximately 6:00 PM. Due to a delay, the ship departed at approximately 7:30 PM. The transport was exceptionally guarded that day by Neo-Japanese soldiers, which was explained by a dispatch to the embassy in Telamon City. Captain Manuela Kapaliela reportedly complained about the transport being too large, which led to the interruption after the military transport was allowed on board. There were 343 robloxians on board, mostly Telamonians and Neo-Japanese. Around 7:00 PM, the port of Roghija received reports of large waves and strong winds near the Catfish Islands. The port crew reported this to the ship. However, after the ship had departed, a report of a possible cyclone near the islands was received, but the ship's crew could not be informed. After leaving the port, the ship resumed its normal course. Around 9:00 PM, Nakamura Lanakila took the helm. After 11:30 PM, the Makia Pua took over. During this time, the ship entered an area of ​​strong winds. Around 1:00 AM, a boom was heard in the garage. Then, water began pouring in. Waves began to press against the ship, tilting it to starboard. Manuela Kapaliela decided to transfer water to the port ballast tank. This attempt resulted in even more stress on the starboard side, where water became trapped due to a malfunction in the ballast system. At this time, trucks began to break free from their moorings and hit everything in their path, increasing the list. Soon, a second boom was heard, followed by even more water pouring onto the ship. Part of the hull was ruptured. Manuela Kapaliela then ordered all crew and passengers to abandon ship. At 1:15 AM, a Mayday message was issued. Lifeboats were launched. Many crew members refused to board the lifeboats, allowing passengers to pass first. Ultimately, a significant number of them attempted to escape. There were likely over 70 robloxians on the launched lifeboats, but most boats capsized after launch, drowning the robloxians inside. Due to faulty deck doors, some passengers were also trapped on the decks and unable to escape, which sealed their fate. Some robloxians jumped into the water as the ship tilted, but they had no chance of survival. Captain Manuel Kapaliela remained on the bridge, refusing to escape. Ultimately, he, too, drowned. The ship sank completely. Just before 2:00 AM, the first boats from the Catfish Islands arrived as part of the rescue effort. However, the rescue effort was poorly organized. Ultimately, the several boats rescued only 21 robloxians alive. 1 of them died of a heart attack the same day, and 4 others died several days later from their injuries.

Search operation

Telamon Islands organized a search of the wreck area for bodies. The search began that same day. Within weeks, the bodies of over 250 passengers and crew were recovered. More were found in the years following the sinking. Currently, 28 robloxians are missing.

Investigation

An official investigation into the ship's sinking took place in Telamon Islands. The authorities of Neo-Japan and the autonomous authorities of Catfish Islands also cooperated. The former requested that access to the wreck be prohibited as a memorial, although the proposal was unsuccessful. The Telamon Islands trial began in 1984 in Kekele City. Survivors, representatives of the shipowner, participants in the rescue operation, experts, and experts were interviewed. After the accident, Ocean Ships Line was on the verge of bankruptcy. Negligence on its part was considered to have contributed to the disaster. The port crew in Roghija were also blamed. On December 27, divers from Telamon Islands located the remains of trucks from a military transport from Neo-Japan. These trucks were the most severely damaged, and it was determined that they most likely exploded during the disaster. A hypothesis was put forward that the ship may have been carrying weapon smuggling, perhaps to the Vista Union. The Neo-Japanese government officially denied this, although further evidence supporting this claim was uncovered. The government defended itself by citing the ship's defects, while the shipowner countered by accusing Captain Manuel Kapaliela. The final report concluded that the sinking of the ship was caused by the explosion of a military transport from Neo-Japan, placing responsibility on the Neo-Japanese military. The report also criticized the shipowner's negligence. Both Neo-Japan and Telamon Islands subsequently paid numerous compensations to the families of the disaster victims. There are reports that the Neo-Japanese government paid compensation to the Telamon Islands government, although these are only rumors.

Victims