Honolulu Coast Guard assists with sinking vessel in American Samoa

Honolulu, HAWAII — Coast Guard crews from Honolulu are responding to a vessel taking on water in American Samoa.

Saturday afternoon, the Coast Guard received word that the vessel M.V. Sili, a passenger ferry moored at the main pier in Pago Pago, was taking on water. No passengers were on board at the time.

They responded and they are working with local authorities to address the situation.

“This is unexpected and unfortunate” said Cmdr. Patrick Gallagher, chief of response for Sector Honolulu. “Our mission is to protect people and the environment. No one was aboard the vessel and containment boom has been deployed to address any sheen as work continues to stabilize the vessel and remedy the situation.”

The vessel carries a potential threat to the environment.

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