Ports Authority manager denies responsibility to stop Ashika sailing [1]
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 21:09. Updated on Friday, May 9, 2014 - 22:02.
Tonga's Ports Authority manager, Commander Lupeti Vi, this morning told the Ashika inquiry that it was not his responsibility to stop the vessel from sailing.
He also expressed his dissatisfaction and frustration with the Ministry of Transport and Marine, and told the Ashika Inquiry, the ministry had numerous times ignored his concerns in relation to the safety of ships.
Cdr. Vi, who has been the General Manager of the Ports Authority since 1999, said the standard of safety of ships in Tonga had worsened and he had lost confidence in the integrity and credibility of the former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus, the former Director Bill Johnson and current Marine and Transport employees namely the Director of Marine, Viliami Tu'ipulotu and Transport Secretary, 'Eleni Mone.
The witness said on December 15, when first giving evidence, he was criticised by the Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele in a letter in September that said he was under a professional, legal and moral duty to stop the vessel from sailing, yet he did nothing towards stopping it.
He responded that it was up to the Ministry of Marine and Ports to stop the vessel and it was not his responsibility or the Ports Authority to stop the vessel. He added the requirement of the Act and the Standing Orders for them to produce the lists of the crew, the passengers and the cargo, what they empowered him to do.
"I have no power to inspect the vessel. That authority remains with the Ministry of Transport. They never approached us and they never asked me for anything. We never talk about it. I have been burned, my fingers. I have been taken to court and we spent a lot of money on that issue."
The inquiry was informed by the witness on December 15, he first saw the Ashika in Fiji in 2006 and again in 2007-08 because he had business interests, as Ha'apai had a lot of problem in sea transportation.
He confirmed it was up for sale in 2007-08 and it was indicated to him that it was for FJD $400,000. He added that he found the vessel old, rusty and in very poor condition from 2006-08.
Cross-examined
Cdr. Vi was cross-examined this morning by Kahu Afeaki, acting for the former Minister of Transport. He said the Prime Minister had turned around and criticised him "but he was the one who approved to buy the vessel, it's him alone who broadcasted on television that Lloyds insured the vessel and its seaworthiness.
"I told the PM I had never been asked, I wish that I been asked and I would tell them to keep away from the vessel. Personally, I thought it was unseaworthy, but that is my opinion, I did not do any survey on it. Government went and looked at it, they agreed and were happy with it and bought it, now they blame me for what I saw," he said.
No response
He said he thought the former Director of Marine Bill Johnson was incompetent for the job because in the last two years it was hard for him to make up his mind.
"I don't know whether he understood me or spoke the same language. I felt it was a waste of my time never because he never responded so sometimes I bypassed him and went straight to the Minister."
With regards to the former Minister of Transport Karalus, he added "he does not understand the issue relating to a ship. I don't even know if he can swim. He knows nothing about vessels."
He added the Ministry of Transport and Marine had not learnt any lesson from the Ashika disaster and for a number of years he beat his head against brick because his concerns were ignored by them.