A report into the capsizing of a Kiribati passenger ferry has found that other countries could have helped in the search more readily if agreements had been in place.
Thirty-five people died and 16 survived when the single outrigger passenger ferry Uean Te Raoi II capsized off Maiana Island in July last year.
A report by New Zealand's Transport Accident and Investigation Commission for the Kiribati government has found that all but two of the passengers would probably have survived if the boat had had adequate safety gear.
A marine accident investigator, Captain Iain Hill, says the report recommends more resources for the Kiribati Marine Division.
The search for the missing ferry took several days.
