A three-day trial has opened in French Polynesia of two men accused of involuntary homicide as a result of a fatal shipping accident five years ago.
The two are the former head of the GIP intervention force, Leonard Puputauki, and his assistant, Yannick Boosie.
The two were in charge of the organisation which operated the Tahiti Nui IV when it sank off Rimitara, killing seven sailors.
At the centre of the trial is the accusation that the vessel was poorly maintained and the accident could have been prevented.
14 people survived and were rescued by helicopter after they spent up to eight hours in the water.
