The first death certificates issued for victims of the Ashika ferry sinking were issued for the late Fetaulaki Mahe (25) and his three-year-old son Filimone Monti Mahe by Chief Justice Hon Anthony Ford on May 14.

The father and son from Talihau in Vava'u lost their lives together with Vaefetu'u Mahe (22), wife and mother, whose body was one of only two bodies recovered following the sinking.

Fetaulaki's sister-in-law Manuhola Taufa of Kolofo'ou received the death certificate after her lawyer Ralph Stephenson of Stephenson Associates in Nuku'alofa filed an application with the Supreme Court.

Stephenson said that in circumstances where a person had apparently died but their body could not be found there is no presumption of death until seven years has passed.

However, if sufficient evidence of the circumstances resulting in the death can be shown to the Supreme Court then the court it could make a declaration that a person has died and the death can be registered, which is what is done in the case of the late Fetaulaki Mahe and his young son.

"Obviously we would far rather not have to have made these applications, but it is very important for the families of the tragedy to be able to get these certificates both for legal reasons and their own peace of mind. Seventy four people died needlessly in this tragedy and perhaps getting these certificates issued will help in some small way to restore dignity to their passing," he said.

Stephenson held a special meeting with the local media and the deceased's family including Manuhola and Pita Taufa (Fetaulaki's brother) on Monday, May 17 at the Supreme Court.

He said his firm is available if any other families need assistance in obtaining death certificates for relatives in the Ashika tragedy, and added they do not charge any fees apart from the application fees.