Ashika 'not fit for open water'

The doomed Princess Ashika ferry was never meant to sail in open waters and was classed as a smooth-water vessel, a Tongan royal commission of inquiry has heard.

An inquiry into the sinking disaster began last week and has already revealed telling signs that the MV Princess Ashika should not have been allowed in open waters.

At yesterday's sitting in Nuku'alofa, evidence in the form of marine surveys carried out by the Fiji Islands Safety Administration showed that the 37-year-old ship had been classed as a "smooth-water" vessel since 1984, 3 News reported last night.

It was legally allowed to travel only between the islands of Buresala and Natovi at a reduced speed and could sail only with "reduced cargo".

Shipping Corporation of Polynesia chief executive John Jonesse - who bought the vessel in Fiji on behalf of the Tongan Government - has come under fire several times during questioning.

He admitted this week that he had no shipping experience when he travelled to Fiji to inspect the ship.

Yesterday, the New Zealander was again heavily questioned.

He told the commission he never went to see the Fijian Marine Safety people when he inspected the ship and thought that responsibility lay with the Tongan Marine and Ports Authority.

Asked whether he would have been concerned had he seen the reports shown as evidence yesterday, he agreed that he would have.

Shipping Corporation of Polynesia chairwoman 'Alisi Taumoepeau appeared at the royal commission of inquiry for the first time yesterday morning and is set to give evidence on January 18.

Mrs Taumoepeau, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, was summonsed to appear before the commission and provide documents related to the Princess Ashika.

She was followed by the Minister of Finance and Planning, 'Afu'alo Matoto, who confirmed that he and the former Minister of Transport, Paul Karalus, had made the submission to the Tongan Cabinet to buy the vessel.

Mr Karalus resigned six days after the ferry sank.

In his resignation announcement, he said: "I extend my sincere apologies for any shortcomings we might have had."

In his capacity as Minister of Public Enterprise, he said, he understood that the ministry's secretary had submitted documents relating to the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia.

The former minister was yesterday stood down to return on January 22 to give detailed evidence.

At yesterday's sitting, Mr Jonesse also admitted using the name of an Australian engineer on an audit of the ship without authorisation.

The audit was critical in helping the Tongan Government decide whether it should purchase the ferry.

At one time, Mr Jonesse was accused of making up evidence. He replied: "Rubbish."