Relatives prepare to petition Sharp

By PISAI GUMAR
THE survivors and relatives of those who died in the mv Rabaul Queen disaster will petition vessel owner Peter Sharp to take full responsibility for the tragedy.
Yesterday at the Morobe provincial disaster and emergency unit office on Markham Road, the grieving relatives gathered and voiced their demands.
They wanted Sharp to address them in person rather than sending his lawyers or managers.
Among the demands:
lArrange tugboats, barges and helicopters for urgent search and rescue;
lMeet all cost of survivors and various haus krais of the relatives;
lMeet all the repatriation cost for students as the academic year began yesterday; and
lPay compensation for all the lives that have been lost and for the loss of property.
After being told that the Australian search and rescue team on site would withdraw soon, the relatives said Sharp had to take 100% responsibility for the search until all bodies were recovered.
The relatives of passengers on the ill-fated vessel travelled to Lae from five highlands and Momase provinces and are staying day and night at the disaster office.
A mother, Mary Vura Dubery, who lost her eldest daughter Nemika and her granddaughter, said: “We want their bodies here to give them a decent burial.
“Five days have gone and if any survivors were swept ashore to the islands or beaches by waves, they will starve and dehydrate. They will need immediate assistance.
“Sharp needs to come out and respond immediately.”
They appealed to business houses in Lae to help continue the search.