Mon, 16 Nov 2009 5:17p.m.
Mr Haseli says the fact the boat had to return to Fiji to patch up concerned him
By Michael Morrah
Soane Haseli was the first and last person to have radio contact with the Princess Ashika. He is the head coast watch officer, and logs of his communication with the vessel were made public at today’s hearing into the ship's sinking.
His log on June 12 reveals the day the Ashika was motoring from Fiji to Tonga, it had to turn back.
The first mate of the Ashika radioed saying: “We are returning to Fiji because the sea is rough and there are many leaks on the vessel.”
When asked what areas were problematic, the response was: “The rooms should be repaired – it is leaking. The bow, mess and engine room is taking on water.”
Mr Haseli says the fact the boat had to return to Fiji to patch up concerned him.
Less than three months later he was operating the radio again when the Ashika went down.
On August 5, the boat made contact with land only twice. An estimated time of departure and passenger manifest was recorded at 5.55pm. Just over six hours later, at 11.50pm, the captain radioed saying, “Mayday, mayday, we are going to sink in this position.”
“From the time I received the call I think it was about one to two minutes, the boat was no where to be seen,” says Mr Haseli. “Gone.”
The captain of the Princess Ashika is expected to give his own version of what happened to the commission this week.
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