A Marine Officer who surveyed the MV Princess Ashika vessel on July 2 the day after its arrival in Nuku'alofa, told the Ashika Inquiry today that the ferry was not seaworthy and was dangerous to the public due to the widespread corrosion that invaded the entire vessel.

Lou Pale gave testimony this morning at the Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika and confirmed that as a Marine Officer for the Marine and Ports Division under Tonga's Ministry of Transport, he first viewed the vessel when it arrived in the capital on July 1 from Fiji. On first observation the condition was bad and he saw corrosion on the deck that extended throughout the vessel and some areas were newly painted over like the railings.

Lou said he carried out a survey of the vessel on July 2 and observed a deficiency list of faults to be rectified, issued by his division.

On being questioned by the Assisting Counsel to the Commission Manuel Varitimos about the deficiency list, he said on July 2 it was his opinion that the Ashika was not seaworthy.

Did not voice opinion to superior

Lou was asked whether he raised his concern with the Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu, he said he already knew about the poor state of the vessel because Viliami saw the vessel himself upon its arrival on July 1, but he did not voice his opinion directly to him.

He also confirmed to the inquiry that he was not aware of a FIMSA survey that described the Ashika as "a maritime disaster waiting to happen", and he was never advised about previous Fijian surveys that revealed their concerns over the safety of the vessel due to its poor state. He added that he was never asked by the Tonga Transport to go to Fiji and inspect the vessel.

On the deficiency list it was identified that the bow stern needed to be water typed as well as the bottom ramp. He also agreed with the counsel that by not repairing these faults he was concerned that the cargo deck could be flooded by water; and was more concerned that water could come up in the bow ramp.

The witness agreed with the counsel that the load-line was submerged on July 2, and confirmed that it was submerged about 2 inches but there was no cargo onboard when he did his inspection. He agreed that if loaded with cargo it would submerge even further.

The witness agreed that it would take six months to repair faults on the deficiency list because of the range of work to be done and also because the proper items could not be obtained in Tonga. The witness also agreed that in his professional judgement and opinion the vessel was not seaworthy until the deficiency list was rectified.

Poorly maintained

The witness was shown 14 pictures he took while inspecting the vessel in which he identified holes, cracks, and corrosion extensive on the starboard (right) and portside (left). He identified poor conditions on the cargo hull, which was painted over but the corrosion of bubbles evident from underneath. He said he was concerned with holes on stern ramp that could allow water to penetrate through and scuppers were open where one could see down to the ocean.

The counsel put to the marine officer there was a suggestion that the vessel was well maintained but the witness disagreed and said it was poorly maintained.