Negligence admitted at inquiry

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Tongan ferry Princess Ashika has adjourned for three weeks after hearing damning evidence from the former Tongan director of ports.

Bill Johnson agreed with inquiry counsel that he was negligent in not sending surveyors to Fiji to check the ferry before a decision was made to buy it, local newspaper Matangi Tonga reported.

On the final day of hearings for the year, Mr Johnson said he gave Shipping Corporation of Polynesia chief executive John Jonesse a surveyor checklist before he went to look at the Ashika, but agreed that Mr Jonesse was not a surveyor with shipping experience.

Mr Johnson did not have an explanation for why he did not send a qualified surveyor and agreed it was negligent.

He said he was not shown a current survey certificate for the Princess Ashika and did not ask to see one.

- NZPA