A Senior Marine Engineer who surveyed the MV Princess Ashika vessel in Nuku'alofa on July 2, 2009 told the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa yesterday, February 15, that the vessel was not good because it was full of holes and was heavily rusted.

'Onesi Tu'ifua a Senior Marine Engineer with the Marine Division of Tonga's Ministry of Transport was the second witness called by the Crown yesterday.

He told the court that on July 1, 2009 the day the Ashika arrived in Tonga from Fiji he and the Acting Director of Marine, Viliami Tu'ipulotu went onboard the vessel together with other marine surveyors.

He said that while he was still standing on the gangplank, he could easily see the heavy rust and swelling on the side of the steel vessel. It appeared so heavily rusted that he could have easily punch a hole through the swellings.

Holes

'Onesi said he told the defendant John Jonesse who was then the Director of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd that the vessel was "not good" as he walked to the engine room.

"I could see holes on the side of the vessel, and I pointed to these holes but Jonesse talked about something else. We have not yet conducted the survey of the vessel but I could see the rust and holes," said 'Onesi.

'Onesi said the survey of the Ashika was carried out untill the following day July 2, 2009.

He said that John Jonesse tendered the application form for the survey to be carried out. "It was received and I approved it," said 'Onesi.

The form stated the vessel was 47.1m long, had 677.15 tonne and its owner was the Government of Tonga with Shipping Corporation as the agent.

The vessel could accommodate 18-crew and 350 passengers including crew.

'Onesi was on the Witness Stand all of yesterday afternoon and today, 16 February.