The government is working closely with the American Samoa Shipyard Service Authority to get the MV Sili repaired quickly and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard so that transportation services can resume to and from the Manu’a island group.

There is currently no ocean or air transportation for Manu’a, as the MV Sili went up the slipway last week and Inter Island Airways’ aircraft has been down for more than four weeks due to a mechanical issue.

This has left some Manu’a residents concerned — and they have complained to Samoa News — as there is currently no means of transportation between Manu'a and Tutuila.

“Everyone is working hard to make sure the MV Sili is safe, certified, and returned to service,” said Cpt. Wallace Thompson, who is contracted by the Port Administration on issues dealing with vessels.

Thompson explained that every three years, the vessel is required by the USGC to undergo a haul inspection survey before the current USGC certificate expires on July 31.

“We have the boat up early on the slipway due to space availability at the shipyard, which informed us they are booked solid for the next couple months,” he told Samoa News yesterday. “We told the shipyard that service to the MV Sili needed to be done by July 31st.”

He said Coast Guard officials along with the Port Administration engineer are at the shipyard daily, with USCG personnel going thru the vessel regarding what needs to be done. Among the repairs to be made on the vessel are the rudders, propellers and bearings.

Thompson said that in the past couple of weeks the MV Sili has been running an average of two to three trips a week with mostly passengers because there is no air service. “The vessel’s usual schedule is every two weeks, during government pay week, but due to the need to transport passengers, the vessel must sail more often, and such frequency also requires a check on the vessel to ensure its continued safety for the traveling public,” he said.

Thompson estimates the vessel to be on the slipway for seven to eight more days “depending on the repairs” and after the vessel comes off the slipway, it must go through sea-trials which are checked and verified by the USCG.

Port Administration is targeting the vessel to be certified and ready to return to service before the July 16 Manu’a Flag Day, when a large delegation from Tutuila will travel to the island group for the annual celebration.