SEGAULA STILL AWAITING USCG CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION

The Segaula, a catamaran that was christened earlier this month to serve as sea transportation for Manu’a residents is yet to receive a Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the US Coast Guard.

Chief Warrant Officer Matt Ricks, who is also the senior marine inspector for the local USCG marine safety detachment unit said yesterday that the delay has to do with minor administrative issues, including a radio station license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

According to Ricks, the original for the FCC radio station license got lost in the mail at some point and the Dept. of Port Administration has already applied for a duplicate to be issued.

In the meantime, said Ricks, the Segaula does have a USCG-issued stability letter that allows the vessel to carry up to 36 people — 33 of which can be passengers — and can travel out in exposed waters, not more than 150 nautical miles from a harbor of safe refuge.

“These are the operating restrictions that are placed on the Segaula,” he explained, adding that stability letters do not expire and they are generated as a result of a stability test or deadweight survey, which establishes stability calculations (i.e. where the vessel can go, how far out it can travel, how rough the waters can be, and how many people it can carry).

On the other hand, a Certificate of Inspection outlines all the safety equipment that must be on board, and is issued for five-year intervals, in addition to undergoing a required annual inspection.

In response to allegations that the Segaula is unsafe to carry passengers because it features outboard engines, CWO Ricks said this is not true, as outboard engines are not a feature specifically for recreational boats. He said there are many vessels with outboard engines across the country that have been issued COIs by the US Coast Guard.

For now, the Segaula can only carry six passengers or less, for a distance of no more than 20 miles until a single side band radio — which is a high frequency radio — is installed on the vessel.

That means the Segaula is free to travel between the Manu’a Islands with up to 36 people but when it sails to and from Tutuila (which is a distance of 50 miles) it can only carry six or less people until a COI is issued.

The Segaula features indoor seating, a refrigerator, bathroom facilities, and air conditioning.

Last week, it underwent preventative maintenance work.

MALAMA HONUA WORLDWIDE VOYAGE

The Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage — Hokule’a and Hikianalia — is inviting the public to learn more about their journey this Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Malaloa Marina from 9a.m. - 12 noon.

An open forum will be hosted at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, where people can learn more about Malama Honua and how it ties in with local efforts.

The Hokule’a and Hikianalia departed the territory last month for Apia, Samoa. From there, they were supposed to sail to Fakaofo, Tokelau but strong winds resulted in a change of course to Swains Island which was the planned stop after the Fakaofo visit.

The canoes are heading back to American Samoa and are set to arrive next Thursday, Sept. 25 before departing for the Kingdom of Tonga and on to New Zealand on October 12.

The Hokule’a, accompanied by its sister vessel the Hikianalia, is on a mission to sail around the world using a traditional vessel and no modern navigation technology.

The journey will include stops in South Africa, Indonesia, Brazil, the US Virgin Islands, Rapa Nui, the Galapagos, the United Kingdom, Panama, the United States, and Costa Rica, all coming together in full circle when the vessel arrives in Kualoa, Oahu, Hawaii on June 20, 2017.

(SSV) ROBERT C. SEAMANS  OPEN HOUSE TOUR SCHEDULED

A review of the science conducted on board the Sailing School Vessel (SSV) Robert C. Seamans during the day sails in and around Pago Harbor will be shared during a presentation by Dr. Jan Whitting, Professor of Oceanography for the Sea Education Program next Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center.

In addition, the public is invited to tour the SSV Seamans during an Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 23 and Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 3p.m.- 5 p.m.

The vessel, dubbed the most sophisticated oceanographic research/sailing vessel ever built in the United States, arrived in the territory on August 11 and will depart next Friday, Sept.  26.

Admission is free and everyone is welcomed. More information can be obtained by calling the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa at 633-6500.