Maritime safety authority supports probe into tragedy

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THANK you ‘Ex-surveyor & seafarer’ for your views expressed in the letter “Maritime authority not performing its duties” (The National, March 28).
As you have outlined on the roles in the process of ship surveys, the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) would like to say that we have found the events of Feb 2 humbling and share our sorrows with PNG for the lives lost.
We had previously stated that as a party to the investigation and as the maritime administration of PNG, it is only natural that we too will come under investigation by the Commission of Inquiry and stand ready to make available all information relevant to the investigation.
It has also been an­nounced by the commission that they will be conducting hearings that will be open to the public; unless directed otherwise, and that any person or organisations who contend to have a genuine interest in the subject matter make an application to attend the commission.
We would like to invite you to forward your grievances to NMSA to investigate the matter.
If your claim has any relevance to the work of the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the mv Rabaul Queen, you may forward such information to them as well.
The commission gives concerned members of the public, like you, the opportunity to assist in its investigations of the incident as well as the maritime administration.
The chief executive officer and general manager of NMSA, Chris K. Rupen, reiterated recently our support to the inquiry in a press statement (March 22), saying that “news of the commencement of the Commission of Inquiry was welcomed and that NMSA will do all it can to support it by making all information required by the commission readily available”.
Hence, NMSA sees this as an opportunity to work towards addressing the is­sue of passenger ferry safety in PNG and urges you or, anyone else that may have information relevant to the mv Rabaul Queen sinking, to make this information available to the Commission of Inquiry.

The National Maritime
Safety Authority