NOAA to Attempt Removal of Grounded Boat

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NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has contracted T&T Salvage, LLC, to assist local contractors with efforts to remove a stranded fishing vessel offshore of Aunu’u within National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.

The FV No. 1 Ji Hyun, lost propulsion and became stranded on the evening of April 14.

On Monday or Tuesday, May 23 or 24, 2016, depending on weather and availability of the American Samoa Government tugs, there’ll be another attempt to remove the vessel.

Previous attempts to assess and remove the vessel have been hampered by severe weather, high winds and swells, limitations to site access, daylight high tides and availability of resources, including tug boats, tow lines, and other assets.

The U.S. Coast Guard, working with federal and territorial agencies, and private contractors, coordinated the initial response and pollution removal.’

Now that all the pollution has been removed, NOAA is taking the lead.

Aunu’u village leaders have also provided critical support.

Following the successful removal of the vessel, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will assess any potential damage to the coral reef caused by the grounded vessel and develop a restoration plan.

This plan will determine whether restoration is possible and if not determine an appropriate alternative site for restoration.

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