Sinking feeling

WHILE American Samoa is trying to get rid of two of the three ships it acquired in 1987 as Federal surplus from the Un ited States, its congressman in Washing ton, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, is trying to get another one. Of the three ships brought to Pagopago in 1987, one has been given to the local chapter of the navy league while the procurement office is hoping to sell the other two.

The vessels a 50-foot landing craft, a whaler and a ski boat were given free by the General Administration Office. The Government of American Samoa had to pay U 5534,000 to have them shipped to Pagopago in 1987.

They were to have been used for port operations but American Samoa’s chief procurement officer, Paul Felise, said the ships were “wrecks”.

Meanwhile Hunkin’s efforts to bring in another surplus ship is not being ack nowledged in Pagopago. Hunkin said the ship is needed to service Manua Is land 1,200 km east of Pagopago. Reid, who is also Port Director, said his office knew nothing of Hunkin’s efforts. He said Manua is serviced twice a week by the ship Talimana’o without any delay.