Govt owned shipyard back in biz, hauling out multiple vessels for drydocking and repair

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The government owned shipyard in Satala overseen by the American Samoa Shipyard Authority has resolved major hurdles that existed at the start of the Lemanu-Talauega Administration.

Executive Director Carlos Sanchez and his team have been able to revive and transform the once closed Ronald Reagan Shipyard in under two years, a statement has stated.

 “The shipyard has acquired a full line of equipment and tools and is currently able to dry-dock two vessels at the same time, with future plans of dry-docking an additional 1- 3 vessels.

 Apart from the economical and revival success, the shipyard has created a force of efficient workers, according to the statement.

 “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.”

According to the statement on Friday, Oct. 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 dry-docked at our shipyard in almost 8 years,” said director Sanchez.

Adding that this is a testament to the confidence that vessel owners have in the 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, Oct. 24, 2022 the Manu'atele was dry-docked using the same experimental techniques as last Friday’s undocking. With the success of the two-vessel undocking, the ASSA will proceed with its plans to dry-dock two vessels on the same tide.

The shipyard is currently working with a California group of engineers who will be building a replacement upgraded electrical panel for the shipyard’s system.

+ASEPA sanitary survey finds minor deficiencies in system serving Fagamalo to Onenoa

The American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA) recently completed a sanitary survey of the Central Water System, a public water system on Tutuila that is owned and operated by the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA).

This was confirmed in a statement by ASEPA.

The sanitary survey is an assessment required by AS-EPA and federal drinking water regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

The survey was conducted in collaboration with ASPA and the Hawai`i Rural Water Association. A sanitary survey is required by the Ground Water Rule, a regulation under the SDWA. In a survey, a public water system undergoes a physical review of the system’s water source, facilities (e.g., storage tanks, pumps, and wells), operations and maintenance processes of the water system.

The survey collects information on water systems and helps AS-EPA determine ASPA’s capacity to deliver potable drinking water to the general public. ASPA’s Central Water System supplies water to the residents of Fagamalo to Onenoa.

The survey unveiled minor deficiencies that have been communicated to ASPA for improvement. In addition, the importance of the information from the survey would reinforce regulatory compliance to ensure safe drinking water for public accessibility.

 “This procedural framework provides AS- EPA with the opportunity to work closely with ASPA on identifying and addressing the needs of a public water system.”

The sanitary survey was conducted by representatives from the ASPA Water Division, the Hawai’i Rural Water Association, and AS-EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Program.

 “The AS-EPA encourages the community to support and recognize the pivotal role they play in protecting clean and safe drinking water.

 “The community can help by reporting sightings of people accessing the gated location of water wells and storage tanks, illegal water pipe connections, storage tank leakage, and any source of contamination nearby. Acting AS-EPA Director William Sili commended ASPA’s Executive Director Wallon Young and his staff for their commitment to ensure that good quality and safe drinking water is available for the public’s access.”