The search for a new tugboat for the port of Pago Pago has been narrowed down to two vessels according to Director of Port Administration, Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele.
These are the Peggy H which is in Alabama and the Mikiala docked in Maui, Hawaii.
Deputy Director of Port, Christopher King and Captain Lafoga Alovao were in Maui to inspect the Mikiala.
And King went to Alabama for almost three weeks inspecting several tugboats.
The Port director says they are leaning toward acquiring the Peggy H but will wait until Captain Lafoga along with Captain Mike Pulu and King have gone through the sea trials on the tug.
This exercise is planned for January 22-24.
Upon the completion of the sea trials Port will finalize the purchase of the Peggy H or Mikiala.
Taimalelagi says If all goes well with the sea trials of the Peggy H the plan is for the tug to depart Alabama by February 14th.
However “if we decide to not purchase the Peggy H the Port team (Chris, Lafoga, Mike Pulu) will immediately depart Alabama on January 26th and go to Maui to negotiate for the purchase of the Mikiala.
Port is working against a deadline imposed by the US Coast Guard to comply with regulations that require the port to have two tug escorts in Pago Pago Harbor.
The Coast Guard has approved a waiver that allows the port to use a single tug but that waiver expires March 15.
The Coast Guard has informed the port director that there will be no further waiver and if port cannot meet the March 15 deadline, the CG Captain of the Port in Honolulu expects to be immediately briefed on Port’s contingency plan.
Taimalelagi told KHJ News today via email, “We are optimistic that we will have another tug here in Pago Pago by March 15th.”
The only tugboat now operating is the Sailele while the Tatoso was sold last year to the Samoa Shipping Corporation.
