After several unsuccessful attempts, a fishing vessel that ran around the reef close to Aunuu Island in April was finally removed today.
The operation took place at around 8 this morning and the results made for a happy Friday and weekend for staff of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal and local government agencies and private contractors.
The Office of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa said, “The key to this successful removal was a tandem pull by both of Port Administration’s tug boats.”
The No. 1 Ji Hyun lost power on the evening of April 14 enroute to Manu’a on a charter for the American Samoa Power Authority and washed on the reef, which is part of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, where it remained upright up to today.
The vessel was towed into Pago harbor by one of the harbor tugs and will be put into dry dock.
Previous efforts to remove the vessel began with U.S. Coast Guard coordinating the initial response and fuel and hazardous material removal.
Then the vessel removal operation was transferred to, while U.S. Coast Guard continued to provide technical expertise. Aunu’u village leaders also provided critical support as well.
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will now assess any potential damage to the coral reef and develop a restoration plan. This plan will determine whether restoration of the injury to the reef is possible and if not determine an appropriate alternative site for restoration.
