Results for MV Princess Ashika

Tonga's Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele will give evidence on February 12 at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika in Nuku'alofa.

Tonga's Ports Authority manager, Commander Lupeti Vi, this morning told the Ashika inquiry that it was not his responsibility to stop the vessel from sailing.

Auditor General Pohiva Tu'ionetoa, a member of a Government Procurement Committee told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika on December 10, that in May it became known to the committee that Cabinet had made a decision on April 23 to buy the vessel, and a contract was already signed.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika has adjourned for two weeks and will resume on Monday, December 7.

The Tonga Government Procurement Committee, whose primary job is to ensure Government is procuring goods at a reasonable price and of appropriate quality, was left in the dark when Cabinet made the decision to purchase the MV Princess Ashika ferry from Fiji in April earlier this year, the Ashika Inquiry was told on Friday.

A marine officer has testified that he informed the former Minister of Transport, Paul Karalus, that the MV Princess Ashika was not a good vessel after its first sailing on July 4.

A Marine Officer who surveyed the MV Princess Ashika vessel on July 2 the day after its arrival in Nuku'alofa, told the Ashika Inquiry today that the ferry was not seaworthy and was dangerous to the public due to the widespread corrosion that invaded the entire vessel.

Tangimana Lemoto (25) the first survivor to give testimony at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika this morning told of water forging through the cargo hull causing vehicles to move below deck. The vessel then rocked intensively from side to side before sinking before midnight on August 5.

The Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of Polynesia SCP Ltd., John Jonesse, told the Commission of Inquiry yesterday morning, November 2, that the MV Princess Ashika was in good condition when it left Nuku'alofa on August 5 on its final voyage.