23 May 2012

PNG Maritime Authority defends performance

1:36 pm on 23 May 2012

An official of Papua New Guinea's Maritime Safety Authority has defended its preformance.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Rabaul Queen sinking heard this week that the ship's regular sailings with more than 300 passengers were a gross failing of the Authority.

But Cyril Mudalige, a senior marine surveyor at the Authority, has told the Commission that it serves the whole industry, not one particular ship owner and one particular ship.

He said in that sense the Authority has done its work.

Mr Mudalige told the Commission that it would be impossible to look at one ship owner with a microscope.

He also described to the commission how it received intimidating and harrassing emails from the Rabaul Queen's owner, Peter Sharp, before the sinking.