The first public hearing of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika ferry was held on October 1 at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.

The hearing was presided over by the Chairman, Justice Warwick Andrew, and also present were the other two Commissioners, Michael Handfield, a Master Mariner, and Richard James, a Naval Architect.

The first session of the Commission of Inquiry was brief, and after hearing the applications by two Legal Counsel, Kahu Afeaki to represent the former Minister of Transport, Paul Karalus, and Tavake Afeaki to represent the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd, Justice Andrew granted their applications and adjourned the hearing to October 27.

Justice Andrew announced that more applications could be made.

He said that since the investigation began more than 100 people had been interviewed and evidence had been gathered from Tongans here and abroad. Once the hearing begins on October 27 it will be held continuously until the final report is presented to Parliament and the Privy Council no later than March 31, 2010.