Homeland Security agents monitoring yacht quarantined in harbor

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — While the community is asking why agents from the Department of Homeland Security, along with other government officials are stationed under pulu trees in front of the ASCO Motors in Pago Pago this week, Samoa News was told that these agents are monitoring a yacht flying the French flag that arrived in port this past weekend.

This was confirmed by Director of Homeland Security Samana Semo Veavea. Samana said the “Spiritus Santos” is in quarantine in Pago Pago Harbor. He says there are four crew members onboard (2 US citizens and 2 New Zealand citizens). None of them are vaccinated for COVID-19. However, they had COVID-19 tests done April 27 in New Zealand before they took off on their voyage and were all negative. 

He pointed out that all 4 crew members have been screened and are in good health and good spirits. Their COVID-19 swabs were collected and tested and all four crew members were negative. A second swab will be done prior to completion of quarantine. 

According to Samana, the yacht departed NZ on May 10th and was headed to Hawaii with plans to refuel in Apia, Samoa, However, refueling in Apia did not happen and no reason was given. It’s last port of call before Apia was Fiji.

Samana said according to the US Coast Guard one of the yacht’s engines failed and the second engine is operating at 50%. He said it has no chance of making it to Hawaii.

“The crew says they have sufficient supplies on board for the next 7 days,” said Samana.

All have signed a DOH directive to be quarantined on the yacht for up to 14 days. They will continue to submit daily temperatures and COVID-19 symptom checks to DOH via email.

Both engines need parts and repairs, which are estimated to take one month after the crew is released from quarantine. Homeland Security will continue monitoring the vessel.