17 Aug 2009

New Zealand navy dive ship heads to site of Tonga ferry disaster

3:32 pm on 17 August 2009

Clear, fine weather in Tonga has allowed New Zealand navy divers to head to the site of the Princess Ashika ferry sinking.

The boat sank twelve days ago with 149 people on board, and so far just two bodies have been recovered.

93 people are believed to be trapped in the ferry.

HMNZS Manawanui is in Tonga with a remote operated vessel to help identify what is thought to be the wreck, in 110-metres of water.

The ship is expected to arrive at the location of the wreck in the next hour.