Justice in limbo after 14 years of Rabaul Queen tragedy

The rough weather that buried MV Rabaul Queen and over 300 people beneath the sea on February 1, 2012. Image taken by late Phillip Batari, posted on his Facebook account prior to the sink. He was on board and perished with majority of the passengers (Image: Supplied)

Relatives of victims and survivors of the Rabaul Queen ferry disaster in 2012 are still waiting for justice, 14 years after the sinking.

They are now renewing calls to the National Government to recognise their plight and take measures to ensure they get justice.

John Koe, relative of one of the missing from West New Britain Province, told NBC News, they have been fighting a lengthy battle in the Courts to seek justice and compensation from the ship owner-Hamamas Lines and its subsidiary, Rabaul Shipping Limited.

Koe says victims in the province are currently in the middle of a civil lawsuit filed against the ship owners and the National Maritime Safety Authority and they are hoping for justice to prevail this time.

Criminal proceedings against the ship owner, Peter Sharp and captain Anthony Tsiau ended in 2017 when both were acquitted of manslaughter by the National Court.
However, the victims in the province are now pursuing the civil case as the final avenue for justice and compensation.
The National Court in Kimbe is scheduled to hear the matter on 11th of February, this year.
Since the commencement of the civil case in 2018, the ship owner, Peter Sharp has passed away while Hamamas Lines and its subsidiary, Rabaul Shipping Linited have been de-registered from the PNG Companies registry.
Meanwhile, a Commission of Inquiry Report on the sinking which, was tabled in parliament in September 2012 found that there was gross negligence on the part of the ship owner in sending an unseaworthy vessel out to sea.
The report also highlighted the delays in having the case prosecuted and holding those responsible to account.