Ferry trial resumes

By ELIZABETH VUVU
THE Rabaul Queen ferry trial resumed yesterday with two male survivors and two relatives of those who perished in the mishap giving evidence.
They told of the wild weather off the coast of Finschhafen, Morobe, on Feb 2, 2012, when the ferry, with about 300 passengers, capsized and sank.
They also told how it was the last time they had seen their loved ones travelling with them.
The trial resumed at the Kokopo National Court after it was adjourned from June.
On trial are owner Captain Peter Sharp and the ferry’s captain Anthony Tsiau, both facing 172 counts of manslaughter and for sending or taking an unseaworthy vessel out to sea.
The two male survivors who testified were Massy Orebut from East Sepik and Richard Bani.
Orebut told the trial that he, along with his 13- year-old brother Dhiren and cousin Junior Gabien boarded the ship in Kimbe on Feb 1, 2012.
He said during their journey to Lae, the sea was rough and the weather windy and raining.
He said three waves hit the ship causing it to capsize and he jumped off.
Orebut said that was the last time he saw his brother and cousin.
Bani said on that fateful day he was travelling with his mother, younger sister and two brothers from Kimbe.
He said when the three waves hit the ship, it sank and only he and his sister Elaine survived.
Maryanne Vura lost her daughter Nemika and granddaughter Shekinah when the Rabaul Queen sank.
She said the last call she had received from Nemika was when the ship left Kimbe wharf.
Nemika told her mother that the ship was very full and the weather conditions unfavourable.
The fourth witness yesterday, Wingkepo Kaloa, a solider at Igam Barracks, said he lost his wife Angela and three-year-old daughter Wingslyn when the ship went under.
He has been looking after his other four children since.
The trial is to continue today.
State prosecutor Paul Bannister gave an indication yesterday that witnesses had been flown in from Lae and Kimbe to testify this week.