But Seremaiah said those on the ground did not begin their own search until about 4pm on Saturday – more than 30 hours after the vessel sank.
He said there was confusion and misinformation about what had happened, including reports the vessel was drifting.
“We were awaiting for co-ordinates, but nothing came through until one of [the] surviving crew swarm ashore and alerted us that the ship has capsized.”
Seremaiah said the Government had conducted aerial searches because it believed the ship was still adrift.
“We were not given any instructions at the time and in the end, I and other people went out to search,” he said.
He said a local pilot spotted survivors and provided vessels with the co-ordinates needed for the rescue.
The Vanuatu Government said 15 people have been found alive and one body has been recovered, with more than 30 people still missing at sea.
Seremaiah said the 15 survivors had been taken to the main hospital in Luganville.
He said another body was spotted but could not be recovered because of bad weather.
The delayed search was made more difficult by rough conditions, Seremaiah said.
Tui’s Shipping is the company which owns the MV Matui ferry. Photo / Facebook
“Yesterday, during the search, the weather was really bad, swells were up to 2.5 to three metres, and again, because we left late, 4pm yesterday, and only a few hours before dark set in, it made it really difficult with the weather conditions.”
Families of people who were on the ferry have gathered in Santo seeking answers, he said.
Seremaiah said many of those who went out to search were private citizens.
The Vanuatu Government has said an investigation will examine why the vessel sailed despite strong marine wind warnings issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazard Department on Friday.
Prime Minister’s public relations officer Kiery Mannaseh told local broadcaster VBTC News the Government was concerned the vessel had not heeded the warnings.
The Government has said the sinking appeared to have resulted from strong winds and marine warnings not being heeded, with possible negligence including overloading of the vessel.
Mannaseh said the Government would prioritise search and rescue before conducting its investigation.
The Government has thanked private vessels and others involved in the rescue operation and said it would strengthen search and rescue mechanisms to better respond to future incidents.