Results for Law

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tonga ferry sinking, MV Princess Ashika, Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika,

The Director of New Zealand Marine Brokers told the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika the vessel had no real value due to its old age and advanced state of corrosion.

Former Director of the Marine Division of Tonga's Ministry of Transport Bill Johnson agreed that he was negligent by not sending surveyors to Fiji to survey the MV Princess Ashika before a decision was made to buy the vessel.

Women and children passengers were trapped inside the enclosed passengers cabin shouting and crying out while holding on to their children as the Princess Ashika capsized, said a surviving crewman who managed to get out alive.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika published its Interim Report on November 27, 2009, stating it needs to hear more witnesses and consider other evidence.