Results for Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika

The MV Princess Ashika costing FJ$600,000 was bought with funds given by the People's Republic of China to Government of Tonga, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika sinking was told on February 17.

The Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Managing Director John Jonesse was persistently questioned at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika today where he denied submissions that he was dishonest and untruthful in his dealings with the Ashika vessel, which included his report that it was well maintained - when it was not.

The sincerity of Lord Dalgety's two weeks sick leave from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika sinking was questioned on February 10.

A Provisional Survey Certificate for the Princess Ashika prepared on July 3, 2009 was backdated to the day before, July 2, as directed by the Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu to a Computer Operator at the Marine Division of the Ministry of Transport, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika was told on February 8.

Kalesita Taumoepeau, an Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Transport who was a personal assistant to former Transport Minister Paul Karalus, asserted him as being very diligent, honest and hardworking in relation to his work.

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.

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.

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.

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.