The last crown witness has taken the stand in the trial of four men, including former Christchurch businessman and Shipping Corporation of Polynesia managing director John Jonesse, charged over the sinking of Tongan ferry Princess Ashika.
The Princess Ashika sank during an overnight voyage from the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa to
an outlying island in August 2009, killing 74 people.
The four men, Jonesse, Ashika Captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu, first mate Semisi Pomale, and Tonga's acting director of marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu - are charged with manslaughter by negligence.
Yesterday, Captain Tuputupu took the stand in the Supreme Court at Tonga's Parliament House where the jury heard he admitted to police in a recorded interview he knew the vessel was unsuitable to sail, but still took it to sea.
He said he had relied on the surveys conducted by the country the vessel was bought from, Fiji, and the survey conducted by Tonga's Marine Division, Matangi Tonga website reported.
Each man faces up to 25 years jail if convicted.
The trial is into its fifth week.
- NZPA
