HMNZ Manawanui arrives to assist Operation Ashika [1]
Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 21:17. Updated on Thursday, August 6, 2015 - 13:17.
Photos by Patricia Car
A New Zealand navy vessel the HMNZ Manawanui arrived in Tonga at the weekend with a support team to assist in the reconnaissance of the sunken ferry MV Princess Ashika in the Ha'apai Group.
Tonga's Police Commander Chris Kelley said on August 14, that he hoped the Manawanui could commence operations on Monday 17 August 2009.
"The HMNZ Manawanui will try to establish formal identification of the vessel by reading the name plate and they will also support the Royal Commission of Inquiry."
On Friday he said that weather conditions had been a significant factor in the search and rescue operation and the Australian and New Zealand dive teams had returned to base following their operations.
"I pay tribute to my staff in the Tonga Police for their time and effort working non stop without days off in this operation. I also acknowledge the Tonga Defence Services Navy, the Australian and New Zealand Navy who have worked tirelessly in this operation," he said.
He released another 20 names of the confirmed passengers who were on board the Princess Ashika, bringing to 57 the number of names so far released. See list at end of this article.
"We will continue with this operation once the weather has abated at the same time on land our investigations continue. We will continue to work our way through confirmations of passengers on board and release details as they become available, Cmdr Kelley said.
Prayers
Meanwhile, groups of mourners, continue to hold prayer services and vigils at Queen Salote Wharf and outside the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd. offices.
On Saturday morning, July 15, a group of about 100 people left the Catholic church at Ma'ufanga and marched to the Queen Salote Wharf where they held a tearful prayer service at the last mooring of the MV Princess Ashika. After flowers were thrown into the sea, the group marched to the offices of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd. where they joined families who have been keeping a vigil there.
The list released on On Day 9 of Operation Ashika, August 14 of Persons confirmed on board from the list of unaccounted for passengers & crew
S/No, File Number, Surname, First Name, Gender, Age, Address
1, 55, Tukuafu, Poasi, m, 21, Fasi.
2, 56, Fa'uhiva, 'Etuate, m, 21, Haveluloto.
3, 57, Umeda, Hiroshi, m, 70, Gifu Pru Japan.
4, 58, Tava, Malakai, m, 34, Popua.
5, 61, Mailangi, 'Atelete, f, 63, Feletoa Vv.
6, 67, Finau, 'Ela, f, 33, Tofoa.
7, 70, Mahe, Fetaulaki, m, 24, Talihau Vv.
8, 73, Talakai, Mele Kato Kakala, f, 46, Puke.
9, 76, Falemei, Kepueli, m, 19, Houmakelikao.
10, 77, Lavulavu, James Newton, m (c), 4, Talau, Vv
11, 80, Lavaka, Lavinia, f, 60, Ha'afeva.
12, 89, Vave, Neti, m, 30, Nautoka.
13, 90, Finau, Paea, f, 32, Ha'afeva/Tofoa.
14, 96, Havili, Salesi, m, 26, Ha'ateiho.
15, 99, Puleheloto, Sisiliah Rachelmana f, 24, Niue.
16, 100, Lavemai, Simaima, f, 41, Mataika Vv.
17, 101, Lutui, Simaima, f, 45, 'Uiha.
18, 103, Valele, Sione, m, 43, Fasi.
19, 104, 'Elone, Sione Veuveuso, m, 34, Fasi.
20, 105, Taufahema, Siosifa, m, 28, Nautoka.
21, 107, Kanongata'a, Barsin 'Ela, f (c), 9, Fotuha'a.
22, 111, Talakai, To-e-pou-'i-Pouono, f (c), 5, Puke.
23, 119, Kauhala, Fe'ofa'aki, f (c), 6, Pahu.
24, 120, Kauhala, Hikifo'ou, f (c), 3, Pahu.
25, 121, 'Alimoni, Lima, f, 25, 'Anana.
26, 122, 'Alimoni, Mele (Lima's sister), f, 22, 'Anana.
27, 123, Moala, Katilimoni Finau, m, 47, Kapa, Vv.
28, 127, Mafi, Sekona, m (c), 1, Matuku.
29, 129, Kauhala, Manu Losaline Kaniata, f, 34, Pahu.
30, 131, Kauhala, Manukeu, m, 36, Pahu.
31, 133, Finau, 'Ioane, m (c), 3, Tofoa.
32, 135, 'Aho, Sione Talikihei Matoni, m, 29, Fasi.
33, 136, Fe'ao, Siuta Nikolasi Senituli, m, 23, Ha'ato'u.
34, 138, Uvea, Tevita Pola, m (c), 9, Ha'afeva.
35, 141, Po'uha, Piutau, m, 31, Ha'afeva.
.
36, 149, Mahe, Filimone Moniti, m (c), 2, Talihau, Vv.
37, 150, Tauki'uvea, Tahila nee Hala, f, 41, Tatakamotonga.
38, 60, Fetu'u, 'Anitelu Uaili,, m, 23, Makaunga.
39, 62, He, Tevita Vailahi 'Atu, m, 60+, Kotu, Hp.
40, 65, Valu, Christy, f, 28, Kolofo'ou.
41, 81, Filiai, Liliani, f, 53, Mangia Vv.
42, 85, Ta'ufo'ou, Meki, m (c), 2, Fo'ui.
43, 86, Talakai, Mele Kato Kakala, f (c), 2, Puke.
44, 91, Kanongata'a, Paea 'i Faua,, f, 39, Fotuha'a.
45, 98, Taufa, Senileva, f, 52, Ha'ateiho.
46, 106, Fa'asolo, Siueti, m, 40, Fungamisi Vv.
47, 108, Loto'ahea, Taipe, m, 56, Feletoa Vv.
48, 109, Mailangi, Tapuaki, f, 28, Feletoa Vv.
49, 110, Mafi/ nee Pole Tatisi, f, 25, Ha'ateiho
50, 124, Tukitoa, Lio, m, 44, Feletoa Vv.
51, 137, Vaka, Mosese (aka Kelly Valu), m (c), 5, Kolonga
52, 139, 'Aisea, Tovo, m, 26, Uiha Hp.
53, 142, Lavalu, 'Ahokava, m, 20, Folaha.
54, 143, 'Oto'ota, Melaia, f, 23, Holeva Vv.
55, 93, Mailangi, Paula, m, 25, Feletoa Vv.
56, 71, Ta'ufo'ou, Fifita, f, 77, Kotu.
57, 151, Mavae, Manase, m, 38, Tu'anuku, Vv. /Vaini.
Key: (c) - child