The US Coast Guard says it has not received any request from the American Samoa Government for permission to allow the MV Sili to sail to the Cook Islands to pick up stranded travellers .
Port Director Matagi Ray McMoore had said last week that the port was waiting for the Coast Guard to give the green light as the MV Sili is not certified to make international voyages.
Port Director Matagi says he has received information from congressman Faleomavaega's Office that picking up the stranded travelers from Pukapuka in the Cook Islands is not an emergency and a request to the Coast Guard is not warranted.
More than 100 New Zealand and Australians of Cook island descent were in Pukapuka for the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity on the island.
They were to sail to Samoa to catch flights home after the holidays however they have been unable to secure a vessel.
