The de-registering of a shipping vessel, in this case the MV Princess Ashika, does not necessarily mean it is not fit to sail the seas.
This has been clarified by Transport Ministry Spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete who said there are a number of reasons for de-registering a shipping vessel.
Waiqanebete said in the MV Princess Ashika's case, the main reason for its de-registration was because it was being sold.
Waiqanabete maintains there was no problem with the MV Princess Ashika when they had carried out a sea-worthiness survey of the ship before its sale.
Meanwhile according to Radio New Zealand, Tonga's Transport Minister Paul Karalus announced his resignation yesterdy afternoon, six days after the sinking of the Ashika, with the tragic loss of 95 persons, 93 of whom remain missing.
The Minister, who is responsible for shipping and aviation, said that he had tendered his resignation so that he can give his full support to the investigation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Askika.
However when asked if he resigned because of the sinking, he maintains the Ashika was seaworthy and he had sighted documents to support its seaworthiness.
Navy divers continue to search for the Princess Ashika which is believed to be 100 meters of water.
Vessel de-registering doesn’t mean it’s not fit to sail
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