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Community Briefs

CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION FOR SEGAULA ON ITS WAY

 

The Certificate of Inspection (COI) for Manu’a’s new catamaran— the Segaula— is now with the US Coast Guard’s (USCG) Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection in Honolulu and should be signed, sealed, and delivered back to the territory sometime next week.

 

This is according to Chief Warrant Officer Matt Ricks, the senior marine inspector for the local USCG marine safety detachment unit.

 

Currently, the Segaula is traveling between the Manu’a Islands, armed with a USCG-issued stability letter that allows the vessel to carry up to 36 people, 33 of whom can be passengers, and can travel out in exposed waters not more than 150 nautical miles from a harbor of safe refuge.

 

Stability letters do not expire and 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). However, a Certificate of Inspection outlines all the safety equipment that has to be on board, and is issued for five-year intervals, in addition to undergoing a required annual inspection.

 

For now, 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 people or less until inspection certificate is issued.

 

WEATHER STATION KEEPING CLOSE EYE ON SOUTH SWELLS

 

A high surf warning will be in effect for the territory through at least Saturday, as the National Weather Service in Tafuna continues to closely monitor hazardous waves.

 

Local meteorologist Elinor Lutu-McMoore told Samoa News yesterday that her concern was the southerly swell that reached the islands Tuesday, which prompted high surf advisory.

 

 These large swells peaked last night, warranting the issuance of a high surf warning through Saturday. According to Lutu-McMoore, “A high surf warning indicates that dangerous, large, breaking waves will pound the shoreline in the warning area, producing deadly rip currents and localized beach erosion.”

 

 Further information regarding high surf conditions will be updated as warranted.

 

A surface trough over the territory resulted in a lot of rainfall yesterday morning, but was expected to drift just south through last night. Lutu-McMoore said local residents should expect brief, scattered showers with moderate easterlies to prevail through the weekend, meaning 30% - 50% chance of showers for the whole of American Samoa, including Swains and the Manu’a Islands.

 

CRASH COUNT FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND SAME AS LAST YEAR

 

The numbers are in for the busy Labor Day weekend and according to the figures, 14 vehicles and 13 drivers were involved in crashes between Friday, Aug. 29 and Monday, Sept. 1, 2014.

 

The same number of vehicles and drivers were involved in crashes during the same time period last year.

 

A report from the DPS Office of Highway Safety reveals that during Labor Day weekend earlier this month, seven incidents of property damage were reported this year. Thankfully, there were no fatalities or personal injury cases.

 

The crashes occurred in Fagatogo, Nuuuli, Pago Pago, Se’etaga, and Tafuna, involving drivers between 25 and 64 years old. Only one case involved a teenager, a 15-year-old girl.

 

CLOSING DATE FOR OFU SOLAR HYBRID PROJECT EXTENDED

 

The closing date to submit formal, written proposals for an RFP issued by the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) for the Ofu Solar Hybrid Project has been extended to 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2014.

 

ASPA Executive Director Utu Abe Malae said yesterday that the extension is “to allow consultants to prepare thoroughly.” He added, “This is a first for Manu’a and we want to get it right.”

 

The project involves a photo voltaic (PV) solar plant with a battery energy storage system, that “will help to replace diesel” which will not only save energy costs but improve logistics of shipping fuel to the Manu'a Islands.”

 

Utu explained in an initial interview that the purpose of the project is “to provide power using free green energy from sunlight for Ofu and Olosega residents and at the same time, also charge up the energy storage system (batteries) so that power can be provided after daylight.”

 

He added that ASPA would still have its diesel generating plant as a backup to the solar hybrid system, when it is required.

 

The project is funded by a grant from the Dept. of Interior.