By Edwin Fidelis – EM TV News, Kokopo
Peter Sharp and Eugine Kautau have been released on bail following their application being accepted by the Kokopo District Court this afternoon. Bail was set at K2,000.
Sharp and his boat captain Kautau were arrested and charged yesterday, and initially refused bail due to Sharp’s previous track record.
The pair were charged with operating an unseaworthy vessel that ran aground in December 2015.
Sharp’s passenger vessel, MV Kimbe Queen, captained by Eungine Kautau ran aground at the Elizabeth reef in Lasul Bay in the Baining LLG of East New Britain province in December last year.
The 49 passengers and crew onboard were rescued a few hours later unharmed.
Both men appeared before Kokopo District Court this morning and had their case adjourned until March 15.
Sharp’s pending Rabaul Queen case will go before the court on April 14.
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