26 May 2011

American Samoa Port borrows tug from neighbouring Samoa

7:06 pm on 26 May 2011

The Department of Port Administration in American Samoa has been forced to borrow a tug from Samoa to help bring an oil tanker into port.

The Administration is currently short of tugs and licensed mariners that can bring in large vessels as only one tug is in operation and two are awaiting repairs.

The Port Director Matagi Ray McMoore says another tanker will arrive next week and hopes one of the existing vessels will be repaired by then.

Meanwhile port users are concerned that the lack of tugs and licensed mariners may present safety problems which could deter vessels from calling into American Samoa.