A delegation from the government is expected back in the territory early next week, after they conduct a site visit of the shipyard in Washington state, where the vessel to sail between the Manu’a island group, is being built.

Among the members of the delegation are Manu’a District Governor Misaalefua Hudson, Port Administration engineer Chris Soti and Capt. Wallace Thompson (along with his chief engineer). Port Administration contracts Thompson, a certified U.S. captain, for various boating issues.

The 39-foot catamaran vessel’s $802,944 contract was awarded this year to Armstrong Marine Inc., of Port Angeles, in Washington State.

As previously reported by Samoa News, provisions of the contract call for the contractor to pay travel expenses for local officials to make at least three trips to Seattle to check on the progress of construction.

Soti told Samoa News early last month that the passenger/cargo vessel, a project funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, is expected to arrive here before June 30 this year.

The Lolo Administration hopes to have this boat in service by July 17, which is the Manu’a Flag Day.