Shipwreck in Phaeton Bay

A shipwreck occurred in Phaeton Bay, Taravao, on the weekend of October 12, 2026. A 35-foot sailboat sank in the area, apparently abandoned, as indicated by green and brown deposits on its hull. The incident has raised concerns among local residents.

Previous incidents in the area

This is not the first time a boat has sunk in Taravao. In 2022, a sailboat sank, and just three weeks before this incident, another boat was saved from a similar fate. Residents are frustrated, with some expressing disappointment over the recurring problems.

Residents call for better boat maintenance

One local boat owner and resident criticized the lack of maintenance among some boat owners. They estimated that 10 percent of the 70 boats in the bay are abandoned or poorly maintained, and several wrecks have already caused technical issues. The owner emphasized the responsibility of boat owners to either sell or transfer their vessels if they can no longer maintain them.

Community member raises alarm

Sabrina Birk, who alerted authorities and the public through social media, watched the sinking from her home. She plans to write to the Autonomous Port to request a meeting with residents and sailors’ representatives. Birk wants to address issues such as registering boat owners, securing deadheads, and determining the fate of abandoned vessels.

Concerns over public management

Phaeton Bay is part of the public maritime domain, unlike private marinas. The recent sinking has sparked questions about how moorings are managed in the area. In June 2025, the Minister of Major Works, Jordy Chan, had mentioned plans to build a marina as part of a larger development project around the bay.

National efforts to manage wrecks

At the national level, regular operations are conducted to clean up and remove wrecks. During a government meeting in August, officials discussed the possibility of introducing an insurance requirement for vessels navigating in French Polynesia’s territorial waters, aimed at covering the costs of refloating abandoned boats.