17 Aug 2009

NZ Navy to head back to site of Tongan sinking

5:07 am on 17 August 2009

New Zealand Navy divers in Tonga are hoping they can avoid further problems in their efforts to confirm the site where the Princess Ashika has settled after sinking.

149-people are believed to have been aboard when the ferry sank twelve days ago and 93-people are still missing.

Navy sonar equipment found what is thought to be the wreck last week in 110-metres of water.

Lieutenant Commander Andrew McMillan says detailed sonar has been able to pick up debris like ropes in the area and these can cause problems for search vessels.