A marine engineer in Tonga says the vessel which has temporarily replaced the Princess Ashika is not safe and locals should be told.
Mosese Fakatou was a witness in the Princess Ashika inquiry and says the temporary replacement, the Ajang Subu, was damaged after running aground twice.
Our correspondent in Tonga, Mateni Tapueluelu says the engineer is also publically questioning the crew's abilities.
"He's been told by the crew, the propeller is twisted and that's why the vessel is shaking as it travels and cannot exceed a certain speed. He believes it's not seaworthy. He believes it's not safe to operate that vessel here in Tonga.'"
New Zealand and Australia jointly fund the one year charter of the Ajang Subuh which was built in 2008, and has been independently surveyed and certified.
