Lawyer seeks justice for ferry victims

By LESLIE OMARO
LAWYER Arnold Amet Junior is determined for justice to prevail so relatives, friends and survivors of the mv Rabaul Queen disaster will have some sense of relief and peace.
“I have received instructions from relatives and friends of those who perished in the disaster to take legal action against Rabaul Shipping,” he said.
“The legal actions are necessary for claims for loss of lives and damage.
“We will pursue this and take it all the way to the national courts and ensure justice is done for those people and the rest of the country,” Amet said in Port Moresby last week.
It has been almost six months since the Rabaul Queen sank on Feb 2, nine nautical miles off Finschhafen, Morobe.
A report tabled in parliament last Wednesday said between 142 and 161 people died in the country’s worst maritime disaster.
Owner and operator of the vessel, Peter Sharp, a master mariner with a wealth of experience in seafaring, is likely to face criminal charges.
Last week, Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc presented copies to relevant state authorities including the National Maritime Safety Authority, Department of Transport, Public Prosecutor and the police.