P&O Australia's ship Pacific Adventure brings home Rotary volunteers from Vanuatu

   May 21, 2024 ,   Accidents

P&O Australia has come to the aid of a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers who were stranded in Vanuatu due to the sudden collapse of Air Vanuatu.

The volunteers, mainly teenagers from Albury, NSW, were involved in a youth project organized by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly canceled all flights, leaving them unable to return home.

In response, P&O has offered to transport the group back to Australia aboard the Pacific Adventure, which they boarded in Port Vila on Friday, May 17th, free of charge.

The 16 students and their chaperones enjoyed a sea journey that included a visit to Mystery Island, rewarding them for their volunteer efforts in Vanuatu, where they conducted health clinics and provided medical assistance and training.

Peter Little (Senior VP of P&O Australia) expressed the company's pleasure in assisting the group, emphasizing their commitment to helping Australians in need, reflecting their long-standing heritage.

The volunteers, who have been in Vanuatu since May 5 as part of the “Paying It Forward” program organized by the Rotary Club, expressed their gratitude for P&O's assistance.

Hive Rotary President Kellie Kadaoui shared their relief and excitement, noting that P&O's offer came after several stressful days and would provide a memorable conclusion to their volunteering trip.

For more Pacific Adventure incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.