'I feared for my job' says surveyor of Tonga ferry

Image of the sunken Tongan ferry, Princess Ashika. Photo / NZPA

The man who surveyed the MV Princess Ashika before it left Tonga on its fateful last trip says he was afraid he would lose his job if he told a government minister about the dangerous condition of the ferry.

Jurors at the Supreme Court in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, have been shown photographs of holes and advanced rust on parts of the ferry, taken while senior marine engineer 'Onesi Tu'ifua and two other surveyors examined the vessel.

The ferry sank on its fifth voyage in August 2009, killing 74 people.

The Shipping Corporation of Polynesia and four men - including former Christchurch businessman and corporation managing director John Jonesse - are facing manslaughter charges in the trial, which is being held in Tonga's Parliament chambers.

The pictures were taken on July 2, 2009, when the vessel was surveyed after arriving in Nuku'alofa from Fiji the previous day.

The photographer, former Tongan marine surveyor Lou Pale, is now living in New Zealand but is expected to testify in the trial as a Crown witness.

Nineteen photographs were shown to the jury to support evidence given by Mr Tu'ifua, who told the court that he had been upset when he found that the ferry had departed while there was still work to be done to fixit.

He voiced concern and disappointment to his senior officer, as well as fellow surveyors Mr Pale and Vuni Latu, but not to the Transport Minister.

Yesterday, Crown chief prosecutor 'Aminiasi Kefu questioned Mr Tu'ifua while the photographs were projected on a screen, pointing out rust and holes on the vessel.

There was heavy rusting of the bow and on the stern ramp door where cement was blasted on the floor under the door.

Mr Tu'ifua said the cement on the floor indicated that water must have come into the vessel while it was sailing from Fiji to Tonga.

He told the court that, in his expert opinion, the rust had accumulated for a very long time and he had been concerned that the rusting was so heavy.

Pictures also showed holes in the side and bottom of the vessel, with the light shining through and the ocean clearly visible.

Mr Tu'ifua also identified heavy corrosion of air vents while another photo showed the anchor chain and cable partly rusted through and diminished in size.

Other pictures showed that the plimsoll line - an internationally recognised waterline for a fully loaded vessel - was submerged.

Pictures inside the hull also showed heavy rusting while scuppers on the floor of the vessel showed it had no lid attachment and was also rusted through.

The ferry captain, Makahokovalu Tuputupu and the Shipping Corporation each face six charges: one of manslaughter by negligence and five counts for taking an unseaworthy ship to sea. The manslaughter by negligence charge relates to the death of young mother Vae Fetu'u Taufa - her body was one of only two recovered.

Jonesse, Princess Ashika first mate Semisi Pomale and Tonga's acting director of marine, Viliami Tu'ipulotu, face similar charges.

Jonesse is the only one also charged with forgery in relation to an audit report and with knowingly dealing with a forged document.

The trial is continuing.

- NZPA