Tonga's Kiwi ferry boss suspended

John Jonesse, front row, left, with survivors of the tragedy.

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Former Christchurch businessman John Jonesse has been stood down as managing director of Tongan government-owned Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd as the inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika continues.

Jonesse will no longer be represented by SCP's corporate defence team, as the commission of inquiry into the maritime tragedy is set to enter its third week.

The commission has given Jonesse two weeks to find his own lawyer before he is expected to return to provide the remainder of his submission.

The testimony and cross-examination of Jonesse dominated the second week of the hearing in the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa.

Seventy-five men, women and children died when the ferry sank suddenly on August 5. Fifty-four men survived.

Before being suspended by the SCP board, Jonesse admitted on Friday he had received a document from the Tonga Marine and Ports surveyors pin-pointing more than 40 faults on the Ashika.

They included holes, broken scuppers and various other areas of concern.

But Jonesse said the work was not completed before the Ashika left on its ill-fated voyage. He described the upgrade of the ferry as a work in progress.

He said the electrical and mechanical condition of the ship was his prime concern.

But testimony from Sateki Tupou, the SCP's foreman and workshop supervisor, said the biggest concern should have been the poor physical state of the ship.

The first week of the inquiry saw the commission being presented with 37 slides which featured heavy rust and corrosion in the Ashika, including holes in the cargo floor from which the ocean below could be seen.

And Tupou, who gave his testimony this week, said he feared for the ship every time it left port during its short time in Tonga, given the level of rust.

He estimated 95 per cent of the cargo deck was corroded, with some areas down to just 2mm in thickness.

"Any person who walked through this would have noticed the heavy corrosion," Tupou said.

"The outside of the passenger deck was also corroded although it was freshly painted over.

"Similar [corrosion] was evident in the wheelhouse and the vessel's railings from top to bottom had missing parts. The cradle, which held the life raft, was also corroded and I was particularly concerned that it could break off if the vessel sailed on rough seas."

He said when the ferry arrived in Tonga for service on July 1 he had immediate concerns. "It was just unfit."

Jonesse had earlier confirmed the ship had never been inspected by Tonga Ministry of Transport and its Marine and Ports division officials before its purchase from Fiji and eventual arrival in Nuku'alofa on July 1.

The Ashika was first put into action in 1972, but Jonesse told the inquiry that age was not a factor, the ferry had been well maintained and was in good operating condition.

Despite Jonesse's view, the commission was presented with copies of Fijian Marine Survey Certificates which highlighted the Ashika was not suitable for the volatile Tongan waters it was to sail in.

Fijian authorities restricted its work to voyages lasting no longer than an hour, with a reduced cargo load, reduced speed and on routes which predominantly featured calm waters. The hearing will continue until December 18. It will resume on January 12, with a final report to be presented to Tonga's parliament by March 31.

- © Fairfax NZ News