A Fiji Navy analyst has testified that it is unlikely the five missing crew members from the fishing vessel FV Tiro II could have survived or will ever be recovered, four years after the incident.
Chief Petty Officer Waisake Tikoduadua, the prosecution’s third witness, gave evidence yesterday in the trial of Tevita Qaqa Kapawale, who is accused of murder, before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere at the High Court in Suva.
Mr Tikoduadua said he received a call from a boarding officer on the FV Samyeung, requesting navy assistance to rescue five crew members floating at sea and Kapawale, who was reportedly on a life raft.
The missing crew members; Benjamin Semuel Mattaputty, Eme Warma, Alfat Kodri, Samuela Sukera, and Qiritavabea Cagilabakomeli are alleged to have been murdered by Kapawale on May 17, 2021.
Mr Tikoduadua said a vessel monitoring report was prepared, detailing FV Tiro II’s movements.
According to the report, the vessel drifted for 30 hours between May 18 and 19, and for another 37 hours from May 19 to 21 — patterns described as anomalies.
The court heard that the Fijian navy vessel RFNS Kikau, with assistance from a New Zealand aircraft, conducted the search operation.
On May 21, 2021, the operation successfully retrieved Kapawale from a life raft.
Two survivors, Mitieli Cama and Kaminieli Tucama, were rescued by the FV Samyeung II and later transferred to the RFNS Kikau, where they were handed over to police.
Kapawale is also accused of attempting to murder Mr Tucama and criminally intimidating Mr Cama.
Petty officer Tikoduadua, who has 24 years of experience, testified that it was not possible for the missing men to have survived at sea without life jackets.
He expressed doubt over a theory raised by defense lawyer Tobia Ravuniwa, suggesting the men may have been taken by an unmarked vessel to another location.
The trial continues today with the prosecution’s fourth witness, Commanding Officer Luke Madanavosa of the RFNS Kikau, set to provide further evidence.
