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Ocean transportation to Swains Island still not available

[photo: American Samoa tourism website]
As a result, no inhabitants
fili@samoanews.com

A group of scientists are interested in conducting research based on Swains Island, but the lack of, or no, ocean transportation at this time, is slowing down setting up the necessary operation on the remote atoll.

“Its been a few years since the last passenger vessel trip Swains and because of the problem with transportation, I had to get everyone off the island to Tutuila,” said Swains Rep. Su’a Alexander Eli Jennings, who has been pushing for many years for improvements to Swains transportation woes in order to develop the atoll, once an import site of copra export for American Samoa.

A meeting between ASG officials as well as Su’a to discuss ocean transporation for Swains as well as the proposal by the group of scientists was to have been held last Friday morning but it was canceled and moved to today.

“I’m always looking for opportunity for Swains, and now that opportunity is available with the MV Manu’atele to improve ocean transportation for Swains but also trade with Tokelau, whose boat at this point is not authorized to carry fuel — but  this is an opportunity for us,” said Su’a adding that there are a lot of Tokelauan who are interest in US goods and products that can be brought from American Samoa.

“Now there is a group of scientists wanting to travel to Swains and are looking at possible inclusion of Swains in a national marine sanctuary, but the problem is getting sufficient ocean transport there,” he said. “And with researchers there, some infrastructure developments need to be put in place. There should also be people living on the island year round.”

Because of the lack transportation, Su’a said the last of the residents of the atoll were removed a couple of years ago. He said with interest from scientists for research development, this is the great way to re-start the effort to place people on Swains.

“Development of Swains can lead to better ocean transportation not only for Swain islanders but also for Tokelau,” he said, adding that it takes a 24-hour ride by boat between Apia and Tokelau.

Early this year, when the Tokelau government approached him to use Swains as a stopover for helicopter service between Tokelau and Apia, “I thought to be myself this would a great opportunity to boost trade,” said Su’a, who then contacted the governor’s office about Tokelau’s request.

He also contacted the US Federal Aviation Administration if Swains can be used, and “I was informed that there international agreements for “emergency” stopover or a refueling stopover, as long as passengers do not deplane or use the island as a port of entry.

“I saw it as a good economic development idea for the chopper to make a refueling stopover on Swains where there is sufficient land for a helipad, for the helicopter,” he said. He noted however that an official proposal from Tokelau was never received and he hears the project may be scrapped.

Radio New Zealand International reported last month that the Tokelau government will be selling the two helicopters that were to be put into use for this service. Additionally, the New Zealand funded government project was not moving forward.