Inquiry questions open cargo deck on replacement ferry [1]
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - 20:15. Updated on Friday, May 9, 2014 - 20:41.
A preliminary Inspection Report conducted by Tongan Surveyors this week on a possible replacement vessel for the Princess Ashika in Malaysia, revealed an open deck that would drench cargo unless covered, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika sinking discovered on February 9.
The report was presented to the inquiry during the evidence of 'Ofa Finau an Assistant Secretary, Legal, under the Ministry of Transport.
On being questioned by the Counsel Assisting the Inquiry, Manuel Varitimos, she confirmed that the Preliminary Inspection Report was put on her desk dated February 8, 2010 produced by the Transport Surveyors who inspected the vessel. The two Transport surveyors including a representative from the Tonga Navy were sent to Malaysia to inspect the possible replacement vessel for the Ashika.
The counsel read out an extract of the report, which stated that the vessel was brand new, not yet surveyed, but said it was appropriate for Tonga in terms of the safety of passengers and cargo. The vessel was suitable and the best choice for Tonga for the time being, he said the report stated.
Open deck
"Do you see that the photos on the report reveal that the deck is all open?" said the counsel, and the witness agreed.
The counsel then put to her that the cargo on deck would be saturated unless it was covered with plastic, and the witness agreed.
"Could I suggest that the vessel could only carry 20 passengers in the enclosed passenger area?" said Varitimos, and 'Ofa agreed.
Varitimos then tendered a copy of the Preliminary Inspection Report for a possible replacement ferry for Tonga to the commission.
The witness agreed that the photos showed that none of the cargo would be covered, as it was all an open cargo area, and that it would carry few passengers.
"The surveyors submitted they have not sighted a Stability Book," said Varitimos, but 'Ofa said she was not aware of that.
He again put to her that the report states that no Stability Book had been sighted.
The witness then agreed.
"Have you ever been advised that the Secretariat of the Pacific Community had recommended to the Ministry of Transport names of other vessels that were immediately available in Fiji?" said Varitimos.
The witness said she was aware in November but she was not aware of what followed through.
"So I suggest that the only vessel anyone investigated to replace the Ashika is this Malaysian vessel?" said the counsel
The witness answered that was correct.