No interim report on doomed Tonga ferry

A Tongan Royal Commission of Inquiry has declined to issue preliminary findings into why the ferry Princess Ashika sank in August with the loss of 74 people, mainly women and children.

It has however promised that its final report, due on March 31, will be comprehensive.

The 37-year-old ferry sank 11 nautical miles south of Nomuka at 11.50pm on August 5, with 128 on board, as it was travelling from Nuku'alofa to Ha'apai Island in Tonga.

It has been revealed that as Ashika sank its captain was sleeping, its steward was at the wheel and the failed New Zealand businessman who purchased it had not noticed the extensive corrosion on the ship, nor seen documents which show the ship was unsuitable for open water operation.

The inquiry has heard from 48 witnesses since it opened on October 1, including Captain Viliami Tuputupu and John Jonesse, a New Zealander who has been suspended as CEO of ship operator Shipping Corporation of Polynesia.

He purchased the ship on behalf of the Tongan government.

In an interim report out this morning, the Royal Commission said they "will need to hear from many more witnesses and consider other evidence, including documentary, to enable it too comprehensively and definitively report upon the matters the subject of the terms of reference.

"The Commissioners, having heard submissions from counsel for various parties, agree that it would be inappropriate at this juncture to make any preliminary findings on any of the terms of reference, as to do so would be premature," the interim report says.

"Having said that, the final report due by 31st March 2010 will be comprehensive and address each of the terms of reference."

The commission, chaired by Justice Warwick Andrew, includes naval architect Richard James and mariner Michael Handfield.

They have to report on the facts about the disaster and the accompanying search, the cause of the disaster, evidence of any criminal acts, why so many people died and report on measures that will help prevent future disasters.

In evidence earlier, Captain Tuputupu admitted he spent the night in bed when the ship was sinking and was on the bridge sending a Mayday message on the radio as the ship went down.

He was asked how he slept while the ship listed so much people could not easily walk around.

He put it down to the fact that his bed was too soft.

"And when the boat is rolling, I am not rolling with the boat. That's why there is nothing to make me move."

While he slept the ship's steward, Filipe Tau'ataina, conducted the watch and was on the wheel.

It also heard from Jonesse, 60, who purchased Ashika from Fiji's Patterson Brothers for F$600,000 (NZ$438,000).

He had no maritime experience in a career littered with business failure.

"The MV Princess Ashika was in good mechanical condition," he told the inquiry.

The Royal Commission will re-commence its public hearings on December 7.