The doomed Princess Ashika ferry was never meant to sail in open waters, and was classed as a smooth water vessel.
This was heard during the Tongan royal commission of Inquiry into the sinking disaster, and has already revealed telling signs that the MV Princess Ashika should not have been allowed in open waters.
At yesterday’s sitting in Nukualofa, evidence in the form of marine surveys carried out by the Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration showed that the 37 year old ship has been classed as a smooth water vessel since 1984, and it was legally allowed to travel only between the islands of Bure-sala and Natovi at a reduced speed and could sail with reduced cargo.
Shipping Corporation of Polynesia CEO John Jonesse who bought the vessel in Fiji on behalf of the Tongan government has come under fire several times during the questioning, and he admitted that he had no shipping experience when he travelled to Fiji to inspect the ship.
MV Princess Ashika not for open waters
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