Due diligence is the normal process prior to the purchasing of anything, the Manager of the Regional Maritime Program of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Captain John Hogan told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika, at the Fa'onelua Convention Center this afternoon, February 8.
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Results for MV Princess Ashika
Monday 8 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Thursday 4 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Charter flights to get stranded students and teachers from Tonga's outer islands back to school, are being funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments after Tonga's ferry services have collapsed.
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Tuesday 2 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Both Tonga's former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus and the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele and other high ranking government officials are set to give evidence this month at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika.
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Tuesday 2 February 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Cabinet unanimously resolved and directed for the MV Pulupaki to be allowed back to Nuku'alofa in December 2009, regardless of whether it was seaworthy or not, the Minister of Transport Noble Nuku said.
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Saturday 30 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The evidence of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Managing Director, John Jonesse, took an interesting turn on Friday morning, when he was asked whether he received any improper payments in relation to the prospective purchase or purchase of the Princess Ashika. He denied this suggestion absolutely.
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Saturday 30 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd Managing Director John Jonesse told the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika on January 28, that he was equally responsible for the sinking of the ferry as other individuals and institutions.
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Friday 29 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu verified that he signed a Seaworthy Certificate for the MV Pulupaki on January 6, 2010, even though he knew it was unseaworthy and it has extensive rust and corrosion.
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Thursday 28 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
SCP Chairperson 'Alisi Taumoepeau on Wednesday accepted that the SCP Board are accountable in relation to the sinking of the Princess Ashika, in that they failed to verify or request vital survey certificates prior to the purchase of the vessel.
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Thursday 28 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The MV Pulupaki, declared last week to be unseaworthy and detained from sea by the Ministry of Transport, was allowed to sail in the weekend under the authorisation of the Minister of Transport Noble Nuku, an inquiry was told on Tuesday, January 26.
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Wednesday 27 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, 'Alisi Taumoepeau told the Royal Commission of Inquiry on January 26, it was normal procedure for Government Ministries to follow directions from government without seeking proper legal advice from the Crown Law Department, regardless of whether or not it was an unreasonable direction.
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Tuesday 26 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On being questioned by Assisting Counsel to the Commission Manuel Varitimos she confirmed her affidavit where she referred that Government failed to carry out proper due diligence and the procurement policy was not complied with when buying the ship. She also pointed out a failure of the Ministry of Transport who was responsible for proper checking of the vessels.
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Monday 25 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Only five months after the tragic sinking of the Ashika in August 2009 with the loss of 74 lives, a second Tongan ferry is in trouble, an inquiry learned today, when it was told that the privately-owned MV Pulupaki had sailed at the weekend - after its owners, who include a member of parliament, ignored a detainment order from the Ministry of Transport.
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Friday 22 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Company Secretary for the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., Lord Dalgety QC, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika that the Government of Tonga was negligent by not conducting proper due diligence of the vessel and it was not SCP duty to do so or to interfere.
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Thursday 21 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Calling the Ashika an old "rust bucket", Lord Dalgety QC yesterday told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the ferry that the Minister of Transport's submission was totally and utterly incorrect in stating that Dalgety had revised a Memorandum of Agreement for the FJD$600,000 purchase of the vessel.
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Wednesday 20 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Dalgety QC, the Company Secretary for the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., the operator of the MV Princess Ashika, in another twist in his second day of evidence, this morning, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika that he had already wished to resign from his position.
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Wednesday 20 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The intense questioning of Lord Dalgety QC provided moments of courtroom drama on Day 31 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika on January 19, continuing today, with the witness admitting that there was crucial information the SCP should have had and proper due diligence was not carried out in the purchase of the vessel by government.
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Monday 18 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The cargo deck of the Princess Ashika was flooded on every voyage it took when it was in operation, and a refrigerator full of frozen food floated and refrigeration ceased, Nikola Tau, a former freight officer with the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika this morning, January 18.
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Friday 15 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The MV Princess Ashika was designed to operate only on smooth waters with a sailing time of not more than three hours, according to a report that was presented to the Ashika Inquiry today.
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Friday 15 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga ferry sinking, MV Princess Ashika, Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika,
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Thursday 14 January 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A New Zealand inspector who inspected the main engine of the Princess Ashika vessel in Fiji in April 2009, revealed to the Royal Commission of Inquiry, he never signed an Audit Document for the Ashika as he never knew one existed.
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