Ferry disaster inquiry to begin hearings

THE commission of inquiry into the sinking of the passenger ferry mv Rabaul Queen will open with a preliminary hearing in Port Moresby next month.
The inter-island ferry sank in rough seas early in the morning of Feb 2
about nine nautical miles off Finschhafen in
the Morobe province.
More than 220 passengers and crew remain listed as missing and presumed dead while 237 others were rescued.
The commission, headed by Justice Warwick Andrew will meet on April 11 in Port Moresby. Two others will assist him.
It had been tasked to “establish the cause of the disaster, the reason why the loss of lives attained such magnitude and compile evidence leading to any criminal act contributing to the disaster, civil responsibility for the disaster and present proposals for any measure that will help to prevent the future occurrence of a similar disaster, or may assist in future search, rescue and recovery of disaster victims”.
The hearings will be held in Port Moresby from April 11-13, Lae from April 17-21, Kokopo from April 24-28, Buka from May 1-3, Kimbe and Port Moresby from May 21-31 and June 6-7 respectively.
“The hearings will be open to the public, unless directed otherwise by the commission,” Andrew said.
The commission has advised any person or organisation who contends that they have a genuine interest in the subject matter of the inquiry, or who desires to seek leave to attend the commission either in person or by counsel, can make an application before the commission on April 11 at Muruk House in Waigani. 
The commission’s usual hearing hours will be from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm.