Fiji Marine Survey Certificates issued on the MV Princess Ashika in 2009 confirmed there were increasing safety concerns from the Fiji Marine Board and Fiji International Safety Administration on the deteriorating condition of the vessel.

The inquiry into the sinking of the ferry heard that the certificates were issued earlier this year, some time before the vessel was purchased by the Tongan Government.

This morning, October 5, the inquiry was presented with a series of Fiji Marine Survey Certificates issued for the vessel earlier this year which notated in the endorsements printed on the document the conditions for the Ashika to sail, which were for no longer than an hour, specifically from Nadovi to Buresala, with reduced cargo, at reduced speed and restricted to smooth waters.

Assisting Counsel to the Commission, Manuel Varitimos, showed the Fiji Marine Survey Certificates to SCP Managing Director John Jonesse this morning, in his third day of testimony. But John confirmed he had never set eyes on the documents before.

Getting worse

Subsequent survey certificates noted that the vessel was getting worse because it then was required to sail at a reduced speed. Certificates from April to May and subsequently from May to June showed safety concerns justifiable in reduced cargo and speed.

It was then put to the witness that the Fiji Marine Board and the Fiji Island Maritime Safety Administration were therefore concerned about the condition of the vessel; and the witness said that would have been the case.

The witness also confirmed to the Commission that no independent examination of the vessel was conducted of the Ashika and that he never visited FIMSA, the Fiji International Maritime Safety Administration, when in Fiji.

Smooth water vessel

The Counsel also produced an Inspection Certificate in Fiji dated October 1989 that made reference to the Ashika operating only on smooth waters. The witness was asked whether this raised concern on its suitability for Tongan waters, and he replied, yes if he saw it at the time. He was asked what he would you have done, and he answered he would have required a detailed inspection.

"Do you accept if the vessel was destined for smooth waters it was not suitable for purchase by Tongan Government to operate in open water," the counsel asked.

The witness answered that it may have been, but a survey should have been carried out.

The counsel put to the witness that if the structure of the vessel was in poor condition as qualified in the reduced speed of vessel, "do you accept there was concern in Fiji that the vessel could cause a maritime disaster?'

The witness replied, no, and said he sighted a survey provided to him by Patterson Shipping.

He was asked about the current survey he claimed to have sighted in Fiji expiring in June 2009, and he said he thought it was. It was put to the witness that the evidence was incorrect and false.

John Jonesse continued to give evidence in the afternoon on Day Seven of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika.