THE Preliminary Inquiry for the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd and four other persons, who have been charged with various offences over the loss of lives in the MV Princess Ashika sinking last year, will be held on July 21 at the Fasi Magistrate's Court.

Assistant Police Commander 'Unga Fa'aoa confirmed on June 9, that appearing at the inquiry will be the Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., John Jonesse; the Ashika Captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu; the First Mate of the Ashika, Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu; along with a representative of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., the ferry operator.

"We are planning that all these people would appear together for the Preliminary Inquiry on July 21," he said.

Charges

On March 26 this year, Police Commander Chris Kelley announced that Police had charged the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd, John Jonesse, Capt Makahokovalu and Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu with manslaughter by negligence.

The manslaughter charge is in relation to the death of a young mother Vae Fetu'u Taufa (21), who was one of the 74 people who lost their lives last August in the sinking of the ferry.

At the same time, the Commander confirmed that Jonesse; the Ashika Captain, the First Mate of the Ashika, the Acting Director of Marine, along with the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., were additionally charged with sending and taking an unseaworthy ship to sea.

In relation to Jonesse and Ashika Captain Tuputupu, the new charges laid on March 26 are in addition to their existing charges.

Jonesse had earlier been charged with forgery while the captain was charged with five counts of taking an unseaworthy ship to sea,knowing it was unseaworthy.