11:45 AM |
New Zealander to blame for ferry sinking
NZPAThe New Zealander who bought the ill-fated Tongan ferry Princess Ashika today admitted he was partially to blame for its sinking.
The Shipping Corporation of Polynesia's former chief executive John Jonesse today gave more evidence in Nuku'alofa at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking which cost 74 lives last August.
Pesi Fonua, a journalist covering the inquiry for Matangi Tonga Online, told Radio New Zealand this evening that Mr Jonesse said he was partially responsible for the sinking.
Earlier this week, Shipping Corporation of Polynesia (SCP) chairwoman 'Alisi Taumoepeau told the inquiry that SCP's recommendation that the government buy Princess Ashika was based on information provided by Mr Jonesse, which she said she now knew was inaccurate.
The inquiry has been told that Mr Jonesse told the SCP board that the ferry was seaworthy.
The 37-year-old ferry was bought from Fiji, as a stop-gap measure while the Tongan government waited for a new ferry to be built in Japan.
A report presented to the inquiry showed the ferry was designed to operate only on smooth waters with a sailing time of not more than three hours.
The commission received an extract from the original "stability book" for the vessel -- a document specifically outlining the suitability of the vessel to the area of navigation, sailing duration and tonnage.
Mr Jonesse in evidence to the inquiry in November claimed that he did not see the report while in Fiji but he was told there was one and when he asked for it he was told by the former owners that it was on board the vessel.
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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