Please consider: Rogue wave phenomenon [1]
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 09:45. Updated on Monday, April 28, 2014 - 09:41.
Editor,
It is sad that some people just can't look at a disaster (MV Princess Ashika sinking, August 5, 2009) as a call to assist. They seem hell-bent on finding faults even when they do not know the full details.
Is it possible that the ship's disaster was due to the century-old mystery of "rogue waves?" For centuries sailors and scientists have not figured out how to predict rogue waves, and how to prepare for them. It is theorized that two collided waves formed a rogue wave with such monstrous force, which few ships could survive encountering a tall wall of water slamming them from any side, and without warning.
Ms. Sesika Vea from the U.S. claims she knows the exact reason for the disaster: "a non-compliant operator." However, she did not reveal her source of information, neither did she have facts to prove her assertions. I understand her frustrations, but we need accuracy rather than finger pointing to make informed decisions.
Mr. Raj Naidu uses inductive reasoning (Aug. 10, 2009) claims to know the Patterson Brothers' (former MV Princes Ashika owners) poor records of sinking vessels, and "very poor maintenance record," was the reason the Ashika sank. How about some historical data from reliable sources?
Falamoe Fau'ese Weber of Germany is an expert in maritime liability insurance compensation: TON$2,000 "for each lost soul." She suggested swimming lessons, lifesavers belts would have saved many people, etc. How such a suggestion could help in an open-sea disaster during bad weather is irresponsible to even mention.
The shipping family of 'Uliti Uata in Tonga blamed government monopoly for causing the disaster. They may have a legitimate complain against restrictive regulations, but what proof do they have to show restrictive regulations caused this particular disaster?
Sincerely,
Sione A. Mokofisi
samokofisi [at] hotmail [dot] com