COAST GUARD HOLDS SESSION ON NEW SAFETY EXAM REGULATION

The local U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will conduct this week two question and answer sessions regarding commercial fishing vessel dockside safety exams, which has been on a voluntary basis for many years, but will be a requirement effective Oct. 15 this year, for “all State registered and Federally Documented Commercial fishing vessels” based in American Samoa.

In a brief statement last Friday, the local USCG says that if a commercial vessel does not have a valid safety decal after Oct. 15, it could be subject to operational controls as directed by the local Captain of the Port Order.”

“All local commercial fishing vessels owners and/or representatives are highly encouraged to attend the question and answer sessions” that will be held at the Pago Plaza conference room on the first floor, according to the statement, saying that session for state registered alia fleet is Jan. 21 (Wednesday) at 10a.m.; while federal documented fleet—or purse seiner and longliners— is set for Jan. 22 (Thursday) at 10am.

For more information or to schedule an exam call the local USCG Marine Safety Detachment Office at 633-2299.

The examination is free of charge and covers regulatory topics including: lifesaving equipment, communications, firefighting and various other operational readiness measures, according to the USCG website, adding that vessels that pass the exam are awarded a decal noting compliance with applicable regulations, which remains valid for up to five years.

LEMANU & DPW DIRECTOR MEET WITH FEDERAL HIGHWAY OFFICIALS

Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga is in Honolulu for meetings as well as to attend the funeral service of the late Afimutasi Gus Hannemann, who was director of the ASG Hawai’i Office. Funeral services were held over the weekend (See Fono briefs for more information)

Responding to Samoa News questions, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said Lemanu, along with Public Works Department director Faleosina Voigt, are meeting with officials of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration on a number of issues such as funding for roads as well as seeking more details of other highway issues.

“It just happens that the lieutenant governor is in Honolulu for the meeting and will be attending funeral services for Afimutasi on my behalf,” Lolo said last Friday evening in a phone interview.

Lemanu is expected to return this week from Honolulu.