The first repatriation flight from the US to Samoa on November 27 will be bringing 150 sailors that have been stranded overseas since the start of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
TV1Samoa reports most of them have been stranded on board ships in Europe, Caribbean and the US but there will still be 175 others who will not make the flight.
Samoa Shipping Services now faces a happy dilemma as they try to meet the demand from cruise ship companies for more sailors.
Chief Executive Officer, Lautimu’ia Uelese Va’ai, said they need more than 400 sailors to meet the demand.
‘’Fifty two sailors will leave shortly for cruise ships in the United States adding on to the 80 sailors that the PM had announced earlier,’’ he said.
Lautimu’ia said some sailors who had ended contracts have asked to stay on with new contracts.
He also moved to reassure families and relatives of the safety of the travelling sailors saying they go into quarantine upon arrival.
‘’They are constantly tested for the coronavirus every three weeks and our government has determined they are all well protected while serving on board.’’
