Chief mate charged

THE chief mate of mv Kimbe Queen was arrested and charged last Thursday in Madang, says Acting Police Commander Senior Inspector Joseph Tabali.
Tabali said the accused was arrested at his home on Krangket Island in Madang.
The accused Frank Bill, 32, from Buingim in Morobe, was arrested and charged for allegedly allowing an unseaworthy vessel to do commercial operations at sea.
Tabali said that the owner of Rabaul Shipping Peter Sharp and the captain of the mv Kimbe Queen Eugene Kaupao had already been arrested and charged accordingly in March.
They were later released on bail.
According to police reports, the “unseaworthy vessel” allegedly allowed to carry passengers from Rabaul to Kimbe in West New Britain on Dec 22 last year.
The passenger ferry ran aground on Elizabeth Reef near Talele Island, west of Rabaul, East New Britain
It was alleged that the crew were under the influence of alcohol when the incident took place.
It was also alleged that some crew members had invalid certificates of competency as seafarers.
Tabali said all passengers on board the vessel were rescued and transported back to Rabaul wharf after the incident.
Tabali said Bill had appeared for mention at the Madang district court on Thursday and his case was transferred to Kokopo district court.