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NEWLY CHRISTENED SEGAULA OUT OF THE WATER FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

The brand new Segaula — a catamaran that was christened last week and will be used mainly for transportation between the Manu’a Islands — was placed on a trailer Monday this week at the main dock in Fagatogo to undergo planned maintenance for warranty purposes.

 

This is according to Chief Warrant Officer Matt Ricks of the local marine safety detachment unit of the US Coast Guard (USCG).

 

Samoa News received several telephone calls and inquiries from the public who saw the vessel on a sling on Monday, wondering if the Segaula was already damaged, only days after it arrived in the territory.

 

“There are no problems with the Segaula,” CWO Ricks explained through a telephone interview with Samoa News yesterday morning. “Basically, there were just administrative issues that needed to be cleared up.”

 

He said the Segaula was placed on a trailer so the engine manufacturer can carry out planned maintenance work that included changing the gear oil.

 

The maintenance was coordinated by Cory Armstrong — who represents the company that built the Segaula — and officials from the Dept. of Port Administration.

 

CWO Ricks explained that the goal is to have the engines last for a while so in order to do that, they need to “break it in slowly, meaning the oil has to be changed frequently in the beginning.” He added, “It’s basically preventative maintenance work.”

 

Meanwhile, the Segaula has the green light to travel, but only with six passengers or less on board, as the US Coast Guard still hasn’t issued a certificate of inspection for the vessel.

 

Ricks said part of the delay has to do with poor internet connection — with the necessary paperwork processing delayed between here and Honolulu.