The suspended captain of the Samoa patrol boat Nafanua II has been found guilty of negligence following a Police Tribunal hearing.
Superintendent Taito Sefo Hunt was charged after the Australian donated vessel ran aground on the reef at Salelologa, Savaii in August this year.
Samoa Observer reports his lawyer, Muriel Lui, confirmed her client had been found guilty of three charges including the negligence charge but was found not guilty of two other charges.
The Nafanua II had traveled to transport a police detachment to reinforce the Savaii forces to assist with keeping the peace during a political road rally by the Human Rights Protection Party. It was returning to Apia when it ran aground.
The boat was salvaged off the reef and later towed to Australia where it is undergoing repairs.
Two other investigations were launched by the government following the Savaii incident.
Apart from the Police Tribunal, a Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate.
The Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure is also conducting its own inquiry.
The fate of the suspended officer has not yet been decided.
Photo: Samoa Observer
