Princess Ashika sentencing today

Tongan ferry, Princess Ashika. Photo / AP

Four men and a shipping company found guilty of 30 charges relating to the 2009 sinking of the Tongan ferry Princess Ashika, in which 74 people died, will be sentenced today.

John Jonesse, the New Zealander who was managing director of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia (SCP), Ashika captain Viliami Makahokovalu Tuputupu, first mate Semisi Pomale and a former director of the Ministry of Transport, Viliami Tu'ipulotu were convicted at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa last week.

SCP was also found guilty, and collectively the defendants were convicted of 30 counts, including one charge each of manslaughter by negligence in relation to the death of Vaefetu'u Mahe, 22, the only Tongan whose body was recovered after the sinking.

The only other body recovered was that of Daniel McMillan, a Briton who had been living in New Zealand.

In Tonga, manslaughter by negligence can attract penalties of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years.

- NZPA