The official death toll is at 237 people, but it is widely believed there were many more people on board than any manifest would suggest - putting question marks over any estimate of the lives lost.

Sharp handed over manifest lists to the commission's first hearing in Port Moresby on Wednesday.

According to The National, 322 passengers were on board the doomed Lae-bound ferry in Rabaul, and another 138 jumped on at Kimbe.

The ferry's crew reportedly totalled 16.

Morobe Provincial Disaster Management Office acting director Charlie Masange has previously said the ferry was licenced to hold 310 passengers.

Bad weather is also blamed for the major ferry disaster.