It is not the Satala Shipyard’s fault that the MV Sili is still on the slipway.
That’s the response from the CEO of the ASG Shipyard Moefa’auo Bill Emmsley in response to Manu’a Faipule and Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr.’s question as to when the boat will resume trips to the Manu’a islands.
The Vice Speaker said they want to make use of the boat but the shipyard is working too slow.
The Executive Director answered that the shipyard isn’t responsible for the delay in putting the boat back in the water.
The boat, according to Moefa’auo, is rusting in several areas, and just when they’re ready to take it off the slipway another problem comes up.
He explained that the US Coast Guard determines when the boat is safe to resume trips.
Moefa’auo said they had planned to put the boat in the water today but they have just discovered rusting to other parts of the boat.
He told lawmakers their plan is to take the boat down either on Monday or Tuesday.
The Satala Shipyard was one of the government agencies whose budget was discussed today.
Others which had their hearings include the Department of Criminal Justice, Office of Procurement and the Department of Education.
Administrative Law Judge Albert Mailo was unable to attend their hearing today and theirs has been rescheduled to next Monday, which is
expected to be the last day of the joint budget hearings for the Fy2017 budget.
