Devastated by tragedy, Ashika survivor tells of crisis below decks [1]
Saturday, August 8, 2009 - 02:43. Updated on Thursday, August 6, 2015 - 12:00.
By Linny Folau
The MV Princess Ashika was taking in water faster than the crew could bail it out, when a large wave struck and the ferry overturned, sinking almost instantly, a survivor, Viliami Latu Mohenoa (32) told Matangi Tonga Online this afternoon, July 7.
Viliami said he could not help anyone because the ferry overturned and sank so quickly that only those who were outside on the open deck were able to make it off vessel and into the water. They swam to the liferafts, which inflated when the ferry went under the water.
"We tied the seven lifeboats to one another to stick together because the sea was rough. We were holding on to our lives. I was sea-sick most of the time, but during that time no one came up from the sunken ferry.
"It wasn't until we were rescued and went on board the Pulupaki that I cried my eyes out and came to terms with the rest of the passengers that sunk with the boat. It was a complete tragedy," he said.
Bailing out
The voyage from Tongatapu to Ha'apai islands had seemed normal enough, but as they settled down for the night many of the passengers were unaware of a crisis rapidly emerging below decks.
Viliami, from Ngele'ia, Nuku'alofa, said that after watching video, around 11pm he went out and saw crewmen with buckets bailing out water that had already filled the lower deck of the ferry, which housed the engine, and where the cargo was stored.
Viliami said that the buckets the crew were using were too small and they could not keep up with incoming water.
"Then suddenly a wave one metre high came and hauled all the cargo, vehicles and forklifts to one side causing the ferry to overturn and sink instantly.
"Me and my co-worker Pau Tupou were very lucky because we were out in the open deck and were able to jump out.
"The ferry sunk so quickly that no one was able to do anything, and I think the passengers inside the room just couldn't make it out in time because the ferry just overturned and sank so quickly, in a minute," he said.
Ferry disappeared
Viliami and Pau swam and managed to get onto one of the seven lifeboats that instantly inflated as the ferry sunk. He said that as they got onto the lifeboat, "the ferry had totally disappeared underwater.
"No-one was able to make it out apart from us men. No woman or child made it. The ferry sunk between Tongatapu and Nomuka.
"It was an unbelievable experience because we just never expected that the ferry would sink. The most amazing thing was that the women and seven or so children who were already awake inside the passenger rooms in the upper deck did not cry or make any noise. The ferry went down very quietly.
"There was no chaos apart from us men who were shouting as the tragedy took place," he said.
Drifted in liferafts
Viliami said they drifted around in the lifeboats until the MV Pulupaki arrived about 2 am.
He assumed that the rest of the passengers inside the passengers' room were not able to get out because it overturned and sank so quickly, that they were trapped inside.
Siuta Fe'ao still missing
Viliami, a plumber, was on his way to Ha'afeva and Lofanga with two co-workers Pau Tupou and Siuta Fe'ao. They were on their way to install the water supply system in the two outer islands under the Japanese Water Project.
He said that his other co-worker Siuta was still missing.
"I am devastated by this tragedy and my heart and sympathy goes out to all the families who have loved ones still missing. The ferry sunk so quickly that no one was able to save anything or anyone. It was very unexpected and tragic."
Viliami estimated that there were more than 100 passengers aboard the ferry. But there were only over 40 men who were rescued by the Pulupaki.
He was also one of the five survivors who flew back to Tonga yesterday evening, July 6, including the Captain Maka Tuputupu and another survivor who is currently in Vaiola Hospital with injuries.