The Taiwanese vessel which had been barred from entering Pago Pago Harbor when it requested help for an injured crew member, was allowed in port yesterday.
Since last Saturday the Man Fu Tsai #88 had been waiting 20 miles out of the harbor while it reached out to local authorities seeking treatment for an Indonesian fisherman on board.
A huge fish hook was stuck in the palm of his hand and it was reported that it was infected.
Due to Coronavirus fears and limited information on where the boat had been to health authorities refused the vessel permission to enter.
On Wednesday they finally made the decision to allow a private boat chartered by the owners of the Taiwanese vessel to deliver medication for the injured fisherman.
The vessel which belongs to FCF Fisheries and is registered in Samoa was refused entry In Apia because of the country’s lockdown which included a ban on all fishing vessels.
KHJ News has been told by reliable sources that the change of mind to allow the boat to enter may be linked to its cargo of albacore fish.
It has been confirmed that the boat unloaded albacore at the Samoa Tuna Processors dock.
The chairman of the ASG Coronavirus Task Force Iulogologo Joseph Pereira did not answer questions about the fish .
He told KHJ News, “It is for humanitarian reasons that the vessel was allowed to come in so the fisherman can receive treatment. The crew of the vessel will be subjected to the same protocols established for fishing vessels contracted by Starkist.”
After the boat docked yesterday morning, the injured crew member was taken to the LBJ Hospital for treatment.
The fish hook was removed and his wound was treated.
The whole procedure was reported to be over in 15 minutes.
The Department of Health had wanted the boat to leave right away however medical personnel who treated the injured fisherman said they needed to check on his injury again tomorrow.
The fisherman was taken back to the boat and it is now waiting about 12 miles out of the harbor. It will come back in port tomorrow morning and after the fisherman is checked at the LBJ ER, it will then leave.
