Ashika captain relied on Marine survey [1]
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 - 19:49. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
THE Ashika Captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu in his record of interview to the police on February 23, 2010 admitted that he knew the vessel was unsuitable to sail in Tongan waters but he still took it to sea because he relied on the surveys conducted by the country the vessel was brought from and the survey conducted by Tonga's Marine Division.
Sgt Siosiua 'Atevalu in his evidence as the Crown's 28th witness at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa on March 15, said that he interviewed the captain on February 23, 2010.
In the interview, the captain confirmed that he was the first captain on the MV Princess Ashika and his role included confirming reports from the chief engineer that the engine on the vessel was good, reports from the first mate that the cargo had been properly latched and there was no leaking. And reporta from the second mate there there was safety equipment on board.
The captain told the police sergeant that he not only received the reports but he also had to confirm that the reports were indeed correct before he ordered his crew to standby for sail.
During the interview, the captain said a Certificate of Survey from Marine Division had allowed him to sail the Ashika on all of its voyages.
He said when he first saw the vessel it was evident that it was old and corroded but he relied on the surveys conducted on the vessel in Fiji and the survey done by the Marine Department surveyors in Tonga.
"That is why I sailed the vessel," he told the police sergeant.
The captain also said he was told by the first mate his co-accused First Mate Semisi Pomale that there were two certificates onboard, namely that of a Certificate of Registration and Certificate of Survey issued from the Marine Department.
Surveys
He was asked in his view was the Ashika suitable to sail in Tonga? The captain said, no, and added that it was unsuitable to sail on Tongan waters because the hull at the bow was too low and there was nothing to cover the open area on the vessel.
He also admitted that he became aware on the second and third voyage of the Ashika in Tonga of its corrosion. And he also agreed that the vessel was continuously welded because of the holes caused by waves from their voyages.
"Did you report the danger to Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd. SCP?" asked the police sergeant. The captain answered that he reported it to Sateki Tupou at the workshop and it was for him to report to the Shipping office.
"Why did you not resign because the vessel was corroded?" asked the police sergeant. The captain answered because this was the only way he earned a living and he also pointed out that SCP and the Marine and Ports allowed him to sail the vessel and he relied on the surveys they conducted.
The trial continues on March 16 with the evidence of the same witness before the Crown calls its final and 29th witness, Lisiate Vuni Latu, a Senior Marine Surveyor, who surveyed the vessel in Nuku'alofa.
The captain is charged with six charges of manslaughter by negligence and five counts for taking an unseaworthy ship to sea.