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Results for Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika

Wednesday 16 February 2011
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Senior Marine Engineer who surveyed the MV Princess Ashika vessel in Nuku'alofa on July 2, 2009 told the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa yesterday, February 15, that the vessel was not good because it was full of holes and was heavily rusted.
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Monday 14 February 2011
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Tongan maritime expert who was shown pictures of the MV Princess Ashika vessel a few months before it arrived in Tonga on July 1 2009, told the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa he had advised the defendant John Jonesse, that the design of the vessel was not suitable for Tongan waters.
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Friday 11 February 2011
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A second jury of three women and four men was selected this morning February 11 to try four men and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd who are charged with manslaughter by negligence in the sinking of the Princess Ashika ferry on August 5, 2009.
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Thursday 4 November 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Government of Tonga this morning, November 4 handed out about $1.2 million pa'anga to the next of kin of 14 victims who died in the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika ferry in August last year. Each family received a cheque of $80,000 pa'anga.
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Law
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Supreme Court Judge and former chairman of the Ashika Inquiry, Mr Justice Warwick Andrew left Tonga abruptly yesterday, August 30, more than a month before his contract was due to expire on October 5, after he said he was told not to continue hearing cases and to hand over his files to the Chief Justice
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Law
Friday 2 April 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Brandishing a copy of the Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Sinking of the Princess Ashika, Tonga's Minister for Communication and Information, Hon. 'Eseta Fusitu'a told the local media yesterday they could not have it.
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Law
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The final report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Sinking of the MV Princess Ashika on August 5 was this morning presented to HM King George Tupou V at Consular House, and later at mid-day to the Chairman of the Whole House Committee of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Noble Lasike.
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Law
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The much-anticipated Final Report into the Sinking of the MV Princess Ashika will be presented to HM King George Tupou V on Wednesday, March 31 in Nuku'alofa.
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Law
Monday 15 March 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The legal counsel to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika made their final oral submissions on Friday evening, March 12 at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.
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Law
Monday 1 March 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The former Minister of Transport, Paul Karalus, told the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika on Saturday, February 27, that he was deeply saddened and embarrassed with the discovery that his report to the King, Prime Minister and the Cabinet that the MV Ashika was in good condition was based on incorrect information.
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Law
Friday 26 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Company Secretary of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd Lord Dalgety is under fire at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika on February 25, after evidence revealed a "scandalous contract" of employment and possible use of public funds to finance personal and first class travels in his other role as Chairman of the Electricity Commission.
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Law
Thursday 25 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Shipping Corporation Company Secretary Lord Dalgety who has been missing in action at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika since January 22 is expected to continue his evidence this week after it was confirmed by a doctor that his medical condition was that of dehydration.
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Law
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus (61) told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika today that during his time as Minister his understanding was that the power to detain an unseaworthy ship from sea was of the Director of Marine, and he, on the other hand, would just support it.
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Law
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele was censured this morning for making an "inappropriate" personal remark to counsel assisting, in a closing statement he gave to the Ashika Inquiry, following an intense session of questioning that continued to midnight last night.
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Law
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
John Jonesse was arrested and charged with criminal forgery last week, and is not permitted to leave Tonga before a court appearance scheduled on March 17.
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Law
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In talks with SCP Managing Director John Jonesse leading up to the possible purchase of the Ashika ferry, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Public Enterprise 'Inoke Vala, took what Jonesse advised him at face value.
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Law
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
At the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika the issue of due diligence was again highlighted in the evidence of the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Busby Kautoke who adhered that Cabinet had no reason to believe that the vessel was unseaworthy. But he accepted that they took for granted that all Government processes of due diligence extending to that of the Procurement Committee would be followed.
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Law
Monday 22 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A suggestion that the Ashika ferry tragedy had resulted from systematic failure of the Tonga government, was rejected by Tonga's Prime Minister, who stressed that the laws, regulations, policies and procedures are in place; but he accepted that it was the failure of individuals who failed to comply with their responsibilities under the laws of the country.
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Law
Friday 19 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
At the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika today, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Hon 'Afu'alo Matoto, said he could have done better to ensure that proper due diligence was conducted prior to the purchase of the vessel instead of being too trusting and accepting information given to him.
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Law
Friday 19 February 2010
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele is expected to give his evidence at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika on Monday, February 22.
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