Commission tasked to look at sea disaster

 Eight days after the sinking of mv Rabaul Queen, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, using section 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Act (chapter 31), ordered an inquiry into the disaster.

Under these powers, the prime minister ordered that the matters to be inquired into and reported upon by the commission, pursuant to the terms of reference, were:

• The facts about the disaster which occurred at about 5am on February 2, 2012, in relation to the capsizing and the sinking of Rabaul Queen nine nautical miles off Finschhafen in Morobe and the accompanying search, rescue and recovery of the disaster victims;
• the cause of the disaster;
• evidence leading to any criminal act contributing to the disaster;
• evidence leading to any civil responsibility for the disaster;
• the reason why the loss of lives attained such magnitude;
• present proposals for any measure that would help to prevent the future occurrence of a similar disaster, or may assist in future search, rescue and recovery of disaster victims; and
• Make any further recommendation arising from the inquiry.

O’Neill also announced the appointment of judge Warwick Andrew as the commissioner of the inquiry.

The commission was tasked to report its proceedings and the results of its inquiry to the prime minister and shall record the reasons for its conclusions.

Commission Secretary was Mathew Yuangu.

Manuel M Varitimos and Emmanuel Asigau are acting as counsels helping the commission.