USCG members commended in House Resolution

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The House of Representatives approved a concurrent resolution commending US Coast Guard Officials for their services to the territory.

The concurrent resolution was presented last week, endorsed by the Speaker of the House. Savali Talavou Ale and President of the Senate Tuaolo Manaia Fruean.

It cites the services of Captain Creighton Chong; Chief Warrant Officer Peter Gollnick and Chief Petty Officer Michele Duty of the US Coast Guard for their services and contributions to the people of American Samoa.

“On May 26, 2022 Lieutenant Creighton C Chong Chief Warrant Officer Peter Gollnick and Chief Petty Officer Michele Duty of the US Coast Guard end their assignment to the Marine Safety Detachment of American Samoa.”

The resolution states that Lt. Chong is recognized for his outstanding achievement while serving in the territory from August 2020 and July 2022.

“Their team oversaw and helped facilitate maritime and port operations related to safety, security, and environmental protection of American Samoa. Working closely with ASG, he served as a special military advisor and subject to matter expert for seven ASG boards and committees to include, AS Department of Homeland Security; Emergency Operations Centers; ASDHS Tsunami Plan workgroup, and the AS Department of COmmerce’s $5 million Super Alia project.”

According to the concurrent resolution Lt Chong also served on the American Sama Shipyard Board, the Department of Marine and Wildlife, Refuge Invasive Species Task Force, the AS Environmental Protection Agency Oily Waste Disposal Workgroup, and the ASG Covid-19 task force.

Lt Chong fostered strong partnerships with the local community and Government.

“He worked tirelessly with AS Department of Health and Port Administration to help prevent the local spread of Covid-19 from the seaport and ensure minimum impact to maritime commerce and during hurricane season and with only one operation harbor tugboat available, Lt Chong showed great effort to develop specific risk mitigation measures to prevent loss of life and property.

“These processes included the full resumption of maritime commerce within hours of the storm's passage, leaving the least impact to business and Government operations.

Furthermore, the resolution also states that Lt Chong was also instrumental in safeguarding ocean resources and local fish stock and worked closely with ASG to keep them well informed of all Coast Guard operations combatting illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing including operations Aiga, operations Kuru Kuru and operations Blue Pacific.

“Under his leadership the MSD has also been active in helping to enforce laws created for the protection of the local marine sanctuaries and since his arrival, he became an active member of the Community.”

Lt Ching is a member of the Rotary Club of Pago Pago, Vice President of the Federal Asian Pacific American Council and played a pivotal role in the Pacific Horizons School’s learn to swim program.

He also spearheaded a drive through his own charity the Kobe Kekoa foundation to deliver 400 meals to the LBJ hospital’s doctors and nurses during the height of the local pandemic response.

Pertaining to Chief Warrant Officer Peter Gollnick, the Legislature recognizes his outstanding achievement while serving as the Senior Marine Inspector for Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa from July, 2021 to July 2022.

“Among his many achievements, CWO Gollnick is noted for conducting thorough renewal inspections of the Manu’atele, ensuring that all lifesaving firefighting, navigational and pollution prevention regulations were met and that the vessel could safely operate to carry passengers and cargo between Manu’a and the main island of Tutuila.”

Chief Warrant Officer Peter Gollnick improved the environmental conditions of the waters of American Samoa by ensuring visiting foreign flag vessels met and adhered to all pollution prevention regulations.

“As the Senior Marine Inspector CWO Gollnick was instrumental in ensuring the safe operations of tugboats by conducting safety inspections and overseeing repairs and maintenance while at dry dock.

“This ensured American Samoa maintained the capability of the tugboats to safely assist in maneuvering and providing tug assist for the various containerized vessels and tank ships into American Samoa with no disruption to fuel and food supply.”

Chief Petty Officer Michelle K Duty is cited for her outstanding achievement while serving as the Lead Facility Inspector and Federal On-Scene Coordinator Representative for MSD from August 2020 to May 2022.

“She led and assisted the safety, security and environmental inspections on all USCG regulated shoreside facilities and foreign commercial vessels for seven remote territorial islands. Chief Petty Officer Duty’s assignments ranged from inspecting small vessels to having oversight of the largest domestically caught tuna canning facility in the US which employed a fleet of over 30 long line and purse seine commercial fishing vessels.

According to the concurrent resolution, CPO Duty displayed “extraordinary leadership” by organizing key maritime stakeholders to develop and execute the safe removal of over 90,000 gallons of the island waste oil and collectively the local MSD team promoted the Coast Guard Auxillary Flotilla to promote boating and water safety to the public and assist in pollution response and post-storm assessment.

“Their efforts have helped further grow the local auxiliary who continue to further the USCG missions of contributing to the safety and security of citizens, ports, waterways and coastal region.

It is appropriate that the Legislature of American Samoa on behalf of the people of American Samoa extend their gratitude for the services rendered by Lt Chong; CWO Gollnick and CPO Duty.