The Fesco Askold is scheduled to leave port today, ten days after it pulled into Pago Pago harbor on its regular voyage to American Samoa.
Loading of more than 200 containers belonging to StarKist Samoa for the trip to the US West Coast is supposed to be completed this morning then the vessel departs.
The day after it called into port on November 8, the vessel was ordered to wait outside the harbor after three of its 17 crew members tested positive for coronavirus.
It returned to port on Monday and after two days of loading and unloading using the ship’s crew and equipment, local authorities allowed local stevedores to resume the operation so as to speed things up.
Beginning Tuesday Harbor Maritime crews, worked round the clock to finish the unloading and loading of containers from the vessel.
There are three shifts with 8 workers in each and after every shift, instead of going home, they are escorted by DOH to the quarantine facility in Tafuna to shower, eat and rest then resume their new shift.
Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua said after the loading operations is completed this morning, the stevedores will be taken back to the quarantine facility.
They will be tested for coronavirus and may have to spend a few days at the center before being released.
The 14 DOH and port personnel who are also in quarantine from the Fesco Askold case, are reported to be well and not showing any signs of COVID-19.
