INVESTIGATION INTO SOLOMON TRADER STALLS; EQUIPMENT M.I.A

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BY GEORGINA KEKEA
Barava FM

Investigation into the wrecked Solomon Trader has stalled because vital equipment needed for this process was removed from the ship before SIMSA had a chance to retrieve it from the vessel.

SIMSA Acting Director, Jonah Mitau says work is progressing well with the salvaging process.

However Mitau says his officers are finding it difficult to carry out their investigation without the equipment to back their findings.

"What we hear about black box on the planes, for ship it is called VDR, Voyage Data Recorder. Somebody has already removed the VDR and it is now in Australia. Now they are inviting us to go over to be present when they download the data. There is a possibility they might tamper with the equipment and we might lose information", Mitau says.

He says the Attorney General is currently working on this issue and how SIMSA can retrieve the VDR from Australia. He says only the investigating authority should remove the equipment from the vessel.

MV Solomon Trader ran aground last month in Kangava bay at Rennell Island on a bauxite loading trip.

A detailed plan to remove the wreck had been provided by the salvaging company. They are now waiting for the owner’s insurer to carry out wreck removal operation. 

ENDS///

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