By Michael Morrah
Fiji described the Princess Ashika as "a maritime disaster waiting to happen" just months before the prediction came true. That is what a Royal Commission of inquiry has been told.
The Fijian Maritime Safety Administration examined the ferry and found holes and advanced corrosion and advised it should be turned into scrap.
Instead it began sailing in Tonga.
Photos have been made available of welders working on the rusted sides of the Princess Ashika in July this year, less than a month before it sank killing 74 people.
They were produced by assistant counsel to the Royal Commission, Mel Varitimos, who also talked about a series of surveys on the vessel carried out by Fijian Maritime Safety Administration.
The surveyors noted that in December 2008 they found 56 holed areas in the vessel, some patches of holes had been filled with cement, corrosion that they described as "uncontrollable" and "frightening" and some rusted areas had been painted over to minimise repair costs.
The evidence was read out to Shipping Corporation boss John Jonesse. However, he insists the vessel was seaworthy when he inspected it three months later.
He says when the vessel arrived in Nuku'alofa there were only two, possibly three holes identified by the Tongan Ports and Marine Authority.
But the Fijian Safety people saw it differently - with one surveyor noting "the vessel is now 36-years-old… and if allowed to trade it will cause a maritime disaster. It is about time the vessel be condemned".
When the Princess arrived in Tonga a survey was carried out by the Port authority. It revealed 52 defects, many of which had not been rectified when it sailed and sank on August 5.
New Zealand marine expert Mike Eno wrote a preliminary report in the days after the sinking.
Among 10 findings, he noted unlashed or improperly lashed cargo, non watertight bow and stern ramps and numerous failings by transport and marine officials all contributed to the tragedy.
Counsel for John Jonesse pointed out that Eno's report also talked about the responsibility of the master to ensure his ship was sound before sailing.
The report itself states that the master knowing about the defects and still sailing a lack of responsibility, skill and knowledge.
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