Will Manu’atele sail on Wednesday as planned?

manuatele-turns

The US Coast Guard had certified the MV Manu’atele for its ocean trip from Washington to American Samoa.

But before the $13 million boat can begin commercial passenger and cargo trips between Tutuila and Manu’a it needs another certification.

Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Joe Twiddy says a certificate of inspection has been sent to Coast Guard Honolulu for approval and once that’s received the Manu’atele is cleared to go.

The Manu’atele needed certain personnel for the sailing from Washington like engineers, master captain and so forth, which ASG’s new vessel met.

For the 6 hour trip between Tutuila and Manu’a the manning requirements are not as stringent.

As for the Manu’atele’s  bow thruster which malfunctioned in the day it arrived, a week ago, as of yesterday it was still being repaired.

Port Director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele had said last week, the first voyage of the Manu’atele to Manu’a was planned for tomorrow.