UPDATE: Shipyard diving fatality is now a ‘local’ investigation

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Due to lack of jurisdiction to investigate local government entities, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will not be investigating the on-the-job fatality at the government owned shipyard at Satala.

The incident resulted in the death of 23-year-old Ricky Faamoana, who according to a report filed with OSHA by the Ronald Reagan Marine Railway Authority (RRMRA), died while doing welding work underwater at the shipyard on June 21.

Information that Samoa News has obtained, more than a week after an in-person interview with the shipyard authority’s CEO Carlos Sanchez, notes that shortly after Fa’amoanas death, OSHA was in contact with the shipyard authority regarding the fatality, and the shipyard sent OSHA information regarding the incident.

However, the shipyard received a notice from OSHA on Friday, June 29, 2023 informing them that OSHA will not be investigating the case due to OSHA not having jurisdiction.

The notice, obtained by Samoa News, is from Nadine Kanohokula, a Compliance Safety and Health Officer for OSHA in Honolulu. It thanks the shipyard for continuously working with the OSHA rep in sending requested information, and for providing statements that were needed for the case. This includes the executive order showing that the Ronald Reagan shipyard is part of the American Samoa Government.

Samoa News has seen a copy of the report by the the shipyard to OSHA board concerning the incident.

In the report, CEO Sanchez said the shipyard has two certified divers who give instruction to younger employees who want to become divers. Copies of the diving certificates of the two divers were attached to the report.

During the interview with Samoa News, CEO Sanchez was not clear if the person training Faamoana to dive was certified, or that Faamoana was certified as a diver, and at the time of the incident what Faamoana was doing underwater with the other divers.

Samoa News understands that the case will now be investigated by the local Department of Public Safety.