Two anglers injured during Buds and Suds fishing tournament

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 5th Buds and Suds fishing tournament kicked off early Saturday morning however by nightfall a local boat was found on the reef, putting two men in the hospital suffering severe injuries as a result.

This was confirmed by Marine Patrol Captain Ina Ulberg in an interview with Samoa News yesterday.

Ulberg said there were 17 boats with more than 100 anglers participating in the tournament and prior to the kickoff last week, they inspected all the boats that participated to ensure they followed all requirements, including having the same number of life jackets onboard as they are individuals aboard.

“We received a call from the 911 dispatcher confirming a distress call near Laulii on the reef. 

“When we arrived two men had jumped off the boat when the boat was on the reef. Preliminary investigation indicates the boat was too close to the reef when a wave struck, which pushed the boat onto the reef.

“The men feared for their lives and jumped off the boat and that’s how they sustained injuries, which were severe. The men lost a lot of blood out on the open water,” explained Captain Ulberg.

He confirmed the men remain in the hospital since Saturday due to the “severity of their injuries.”

Ulberg also confirmed there were six boats from Samoa in this tournament.

The 5th Buds and Suds fishing tournament is sponsored by SOPAC American Samoa in collaboration with the Pago Pago Game fishing Association, which was founded in 2003 by a group of recreational anglers with a competitive spirit and a desire to hold semi-organized competitions.

“One thing led to another and the next thing you know we are holding ten, single day, single species tournaments and a 4-day event every year,” according to the Pago Pago Game fishing Association Facebook page.

The association has 35 members.