A thorough survey of the MV Princess Ashika was not carried out before it was purchased by the Tongan Government, the Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., John Jonesse, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika, this morning, November 3.

He told the inquiry that a thorough survey was never carried out by experts from the Tonga Ministry of Transport and its Marine and Ports Division.

In addition, a maintenance document of the vessel was never been sighted by Tongan officials nor by directors of the Board of Directors of SCP. The decision by the Tongan government to purchase Princess Ashika was based entirely on information that John Jonesse told them.

However, John said that although the decision by government to buy the ferry relied entirely on information he gave them after he visited Fiji and saw the ferry and talked to the owner, but he had also followed procedure and made requests that a survey be carried out by Tonga's Marine and Ports Division.

He said that he discussed the matters with the Director of Marine and Ports, Bill Johnson, on several occasions on March 23, 2009, and with the former Minister of Transport a few days later.

Maintenance

With regards to a concern over whether the Princess Ashika was properly maintained, John said that a maintenance record of the ferry was provided by the Patterson brothers when he visited Fiji, and it showed that it was maintained during the past eight years. But he did not make a copy of the maintenance document.

The Assistant Counsel to the Commission, Manuel Varitimos, suggested to him it would have been prudent to take a copy, but John disagreed. He was again asked whether he saw fit to go to Fiji and not copy the maintenance document, and he said the company was open for documents to be reviewed and he sighted it and there was nothing improper.

The counsel insisted to the witness for the possible procurement process of the Ashika by Government the maintenance document was essential, and he said yes.

When asked if the Olovaha was in better condition than the Ashika, John replied that he did not know, but he agreed that the Ashika was used in Fiji on calmer waters than Tonga at the time of purchase.

John confirmed that when he started to look for a replacement vessel from December 2008 to March 2009 he estimated the cost for purchase of a replacement vessel was at $1.4 million pa'anga, based on websites he visited of foreign vessels from the likes of Korea and Europe. But he also confirmed to the counsel that he had no experience in the valuing of vessels, he was just gathering data.

FJD$600,000

He also confirmed that the Ashika was purchased for only $600,000 Fijian, which was much less that what he told the SCP Board. When asked whether the Board ever raised with him how he acquired the vessel for less than what he initially estimated, he answered there was no discussion on it.

He also revealed to the inquiry that the Ashika vessel was initially listed for USD$600,000 as indicated to him by Patterson Shipping the former owners of the sunken vessel.

He also confirmed that no one suggested against purchasing the vessel.

The counsel put to him that the Ashika was built in 1972 and when asked whether he was concerned that it was older than the Olovaha, he answered that age was only a factor and he remained firm in his conviction that it was maintained and operated well.