The government owned shipyard in Satala has resolved major hurdles that existed at the start of the Lemanu-Talauega Administration.
A press release from the Governor’s Office reports that, in just under two years, “Executive Director Carlos Sanchez and his team have been able to revive and transform the once closed Ronald Reagan Shipyard.”
The shipyard has acquired a full line of equipment and tools and is now able to drydock two vessels at the same time, with future plans of drydocking up to 3 vessels simultaneously.
CEO Carlos Sanchez
“Apart from the economical and revival success, the shipyard has created an incredible force of efficient workers. The majority of the shipyard’s employees have been cross- trained; each member has been taught and trained to be more versatile and be able to perform in different work positions.”
On Friday, October 21, 2022, the American Samoa Shipyard Services Authority tested its capabilities and successfully undocked two fishing vessels during one tide. One of the vessels repaired and undocked was the Hong Xin No. 112.
“This is the first Asian commercial fishing vessel to be drydocked at our shipyard in almost 8 years,” remarked Director Carlos Sanchez. “This is a testament to the confidence that vessel owners have in our shipyard’s capabilities. They are coming back to do business in American Samoa, and all the credit goes out to the entire shipyard team.”
On Monday, October 24, 2022, the Manu’atele was drydocked using the same experimental techniques as last Friday’s undocking. With the success of the two-vessel undocking, the American Samoa Shipyard Authority will proceed with its plans to drydock two vessels on the same tide.
The Ronald Reagan Shipyard is currently working with a California group of engineers, who will be building a replacement upgraded electrical panel for the shipyard’s system.
“The American Samoa Shipyard Authority has been a success story for the last two years and continues to carry out its motto of “Serving the Largest, Safest, and Busiest Port in the Pacific.”
