Ads by Google Ads by Google

Company contracted to build Manu'a vessel reveals more details

The U.S. based company contracted to design and build a new multi-million dollar passenger and cargo ferry to sail between the islands of American Samoa has revealed additional details about the project — it is a landing craft — with construction to be complete next year.

 

Last November, U.S. Interior assistant secretary for insular areas, Esther Kia’aina informed Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga of the release of just over $8.6 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds from fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015 for the construction of the new Manu’a vessel.  (See Samoa News edition Nov. 25 for more details)

 

Samoa News reported in November that the contract was awarded to Nicholas Brothers based in Washington state and the vessel will be 140 feet long, accommodate up to 100 passengers, and air-conditioned on the second floor. Additionally there will be a large cargo area with a 24-foot ramp at the stern and a smaller ramp at the bow.

 

In a news release Monday this week, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders confirmed the company has been contracted by ASG to build a “multipurpose vessel” to operate within the territory and the vessel will also be certified to travel to Tonga and Fiji to support the economic development of American Samoa.

 

It also says that Nichols Brothers has contracted Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) to provide the functional design and production engineering for the project. Additionally, the contractor has been working together with ASG on the design concept for the new vessel since early last year.

 

“We have visited American Samoa multiple times to survey and learn from the current vessels and operators so we provide American Samoa with a vessel that will maximize their operations and supplement their existing fleet,” says Nichols Brothers, chief executive officer of Nichols Brothers.

 

The company will begin construction of the vessel in spring 2015 with delivery in April 2016, according to the news release, which also states the proposed boat is a 140 ft. landing craft and accommodates up to eight crew members overnight.

 

The landing craft features a spacious air-conditioned passenger accommodation for 150 passengers on the main deck and cabins for eight crewmen on the 01 deck. It will also be available for tourists.

 

The aft deck of the vessel has a 1,840 sq ft. cargo ware deck with a 15-ton capacity telescoping deck crane for vehicle, container and vital cargo transportation.

 

According to EBDG the vessel’s design is in accordance with American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels of 90m or less for the structural design, and meets US Coast Guard (USCG) requirements.

 

In his State of the Territory Address, the governor said the CIP funding for the vessel was the result of Kia’aina's visit to Manu’a last November, that brought realization of the surface transportation challenges which have thwarted the development of these islands and have posed great hardship for residents living there.

 

“With the completion of this second vessel, surface transportation to the Manu’a Islands along with Swains Island, will be significantly improved with regard to greater frequency and schedule consistency,” he said.

 

Samoa News reporter Fili Sagapolutele contributed to this report.