THE master of MV Taimareho 1 will today appear before the Honiara Magistrate’s Court facing manslaughter charges in relation to the sea incident in 2020 that claimed the lives of 27 people.
Michael Roy Galo is facing 27 counts of manslaughter.
His matter was listed before Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea at 9am this morning.
On the night of 2 April 2020, which was on a Thursday, the ship left Honiara with 738 passengers.
Galo was alleged to be the Master of that ship at the time of the offence.
The Maritime had at that time issued warnings advising vessels not to travel to the provinces due to Cyclone Harold.
The government in March 2020 had also come up with a repatriation plan amid fears of the COVID-19 which saw a number of people in Honiara leaving for the provinces.
The ship, MV Taimareho 1, however, left that night heading for ward 24 in West Are’are in Malaita.
On its way, the ship encountered bad whether between Guadalcanal and Malaita.
Huge waves struck the ship during the night and as a result 27 people were washed overboard.
The ship continued on its voyage and arrived at Su’u Harbour on the morning of 3 April 2020.
A head count was conducted and 27 passengers were missing.
They are mostly high school students.
Only six bodies were recovered so far.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
