ASG officials have been told that the North Korean cargo ship Wise Honest has a $100 million insurance policy which would cover any mishap while the vessel is in the territory.
Director of Port Administration Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele said concerns like the vessel running aground the reef during a cyclone were among some of the issues which were raised during discussions with the US Department of Justice.
It was in January when she met here with an attorney from US DOJ to discuss their intention to bring the freighter which had been seized last year in Indonesia to American Samoa.
The same attorney is now back in the territory.
Taimalelagi said she raised the same concern about what would happen if there was an incident with the vessel while ts here, in a meeting with the DOJ officials earlier this week,
She said they were told the Wise Honest has a $100 million insurance policy which would cover that.
The port director said DOJ has hired a local company to provide security for the freighter during the time its here., which for now is up till December.
She pointed out that Port Administration will be charging more than the usual port fees and charges for the Wise Honest because there’s more demand on local resources due to the nature of the case involving the vessel.
The Wise Honest which arrived from Indonesia on Saturday, was moved from the main dock to the area where reefers usually moor just off the old Bank of Hawai housing in Utulei.
Coast Guard Lt. Al Blaisdell told KHJ News that the freighter is in good shape and there are no issues with its structure. He said it will be well lit at night to prevent any security issues.
He said the Coast Guard security team from off island will remain for the foreseeable future and as long as they are needed here to make sure the vessel and the territory are safe.
