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New Manu’atele vessel still undergoing sea trials

The Manu'atele pictured at the shipyard in Washington State this past September.[SN file photo]
Still in shipbuilder’s hands, Coast Guard needs to deem it “seaworthy”
fili@samoanews.com
“There is an issue with the throttle that needs to be resolved."

American Samoa’s new multimillion dollar vessel for Manu’a is still undergoing US Coast Guard inspection in Washington State and Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele said ASG will not take over the MV Manu’atele unless it’s deemed “seaworthy” by the Coast Guard.

During last month’s cabinet meeting, Port Administration deputy director Christopher King told directors that, based on the plan at the time, Port was looking at the vessel to be turned over to ASG on Oct. 3 and the tentative plan is for the vessel to arrive in American Samoa, via Honolulu, around Nov. 12 after going through sea trials.

A six-member crew from Port has been in Seattle since early last month undergoing training, and Coast Guard certification in anticipation of the vessel been turned over to ASG.

The vessel project totals $13.6 million and was built by Washington state-based Nichols Brothers shipbuilders.

Responding to Samoa News questions, Taimalelagi said Nichols Brothers has not turned over the vessel and is still going through Coast Guard inspection. Additionally, Nichols Brothers, along with the Coast Guard, have conducted three sea trial exercises and there are still more ongoing, with another sea trial held yesterday.

“There is an issue with the throttle that needs to be resolved. The life boats need to be retested to include all of the equipment,” Taimalelagi said via email yesterday from Washington State, where she has been with the ASG crew since last month to check on the vessel. “We anticipate sea trials will continue until Wed. Oct. 26.”

“When all of the sea trials have been successfully conducted by the shipbuilders, and Coast Guard has completed the inspection, our Port crew will take the vessel out to the ocean for our own sea trials,” Taimalelagi explained. “We anticipate this taking place around October 27- 30. The Manu'atele will probably depart Seattle during the first week of November.”

King had told cabinet directors that it would take about 32 to 38 days for the trip from Seattle to Pago Pago, with a three-day stop over in Honolulu.

Asked bout the Port crew training and certification, Taimalelagi said the six crew members have completed the proficiency and survival training and four have earned the Able Seaman Certificate.

“The crew is anxious to deliver our vessel. However, the issues which are creating a delay in the acceptance of the vessel is the shipbuilder’s responsibility,” she said. “We will not accept the vessel until Coast Guard classifies the vessel to be ‘sea worthy’.”

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said last month he has told Taimalelagi to make sure the boat is safe, obtain Coast Guard certification, and that everything is working on that boat before it sails for American Samoa.