The claims were made by the former Member of Parliament for the Niuas, Lepolo Taunisila.
Taunisila made the claims on Facebook based on an account of the incident she received from her brother, who travelled on the vessels from Niua to Tongatapu.
Taunisila said heavy rain fell while the vessel was loading and passengers were told to climb and enter through a side door as the main entrance could not be opened because of the severe weather.
Passengers had to be loaded into small boats before they were transferred to the vessel, which was heaving in the open sea.
