Not guilty pleas over Tongan ferry sinking

A candle is lit at a Mangere church for the victims of the Tongan ferry disaster. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Four people and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd have pleaded not guilty to charges over the sinking of the ferry Princess Ashika with the loss of 74 lives last year.

The Princess Ashika sank in Tongan waters last August.

The accused appeared before Justice Robert Shuster in the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa yesterday to set dates for the trials to begin, the Matangi Tonga website reported.

The five accused are the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd, SCP managing director New Zealander John Jonesse, Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulou, ferry captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu and first mate Semisi Pomale.

Justice Shuster adjourned the hearing to October 8 when trial date will be set and he ordered the crown prosecution to disclose all statements to the defence.

The five were each read their charges that accounted to over 40 offences in total and each pleaded not guilty to all charges.

All five are charged with manslaughter by negligence of one of the passengers, young mother Vae Fetu'u Taufa, and some are also charged with other offences under the Shipping Act.

- NZPA