The National Maritime Safety Authority has presented the preliminary investigation report into the sinking of the mv Rabaul Queen to Transport and Works Minister Francis Awesa.

Authority chairman Dr Thomas Webster presented the 60-page document to Awesa, who said he would study it and submit it to the Commission of Inquiry (COI).

Webster said the focus of the preliminary investigation was to gather information while it was still fresh from witnesses and passengers and other parties involved to establish what might have happened on Feb 2.

More than 200 lives were lost when the ferry sank.

“The NMSA will continue to co-operate with and assist with the requests of the COI.”

The preliminary investigation team was headed by Maritime College principal Capt Richard Teo and authority manager legal services Iamo Vere and ship inspectors and field officers in from Lae, Kokopo and Madang.