Manu’atele needs to go on slipway

manuatele-enters-harbor

Sea travelers to Manu’a are again having to use the MV Sili because the Manu’atele is not operating.

The reason is because the one year old boat needs a new bow thruster which is used to reverse or turn the vessel.

According to testimony by  Director of Port Administration Taimlalelagi Dr. Claire Pounele at a heairng  of the House Transportation Committee this morning, the Manu’atele underwent an inspection by a representative of the company which built it and a separate inspection by the Coast Guard.

The inspection discovered that there was a malfunction with the Manu’atele’s bow thruster.

Taimalelagi said the bow thruster is still under warranty and a representative of the company which built the Manu’atele will be arriving in the territory this month to work on the problem.

Taimalelelagi said they were hoping to have the boat on the slipway last week however the Lady Naomi is currently at the government shipyard at Satala.

The Manu’atele is scheduled to go on the slipway on September 23rd.

Rep Vailoata Amituana’i said the government invested in the Manu’atele with the hope it would earn money not only with trips to Manu’a but also to neighboring islands like Samoa. And it’s a concern when tthe vessel is sitting idle and not generating any money.

Manu’a lawmakers Fetu Fetui and Toeaina Faufano Autele said it was a sad state of affairs that the people of Manu’a are made to travel in the old MV Sili.

According to Toeaina,  the air conditioning in the passenger area is not working and the vessel doesn’t have a suitable area for passengers to sit, so they crouch wherever there’s space. He also said the conditions of the bathroom are deplorable.

The Director noted that she too traveled on the MV Sili last week for the funeral of an employee and the MV Sili’s voyage was safe to which Toeaina said that she travels comfortable in the captain’s quarters.