Shipping
p. 33 · Read in the full issue
Freedom for a landlock Queen
FIVE months after being dumped ashore by storm waves, Western Samoan ferry, Queen Salamasina, was freed from her landlocked prison in July 5 and refloated. Being described as one of Western Samoa’s key assets, the ferry was towed to Nelson, in New Zealand, for repairs.
The ferry broke her moorings on February 5 during the height of Cyclone Ofa. Storm waves dumped her on reclaimed land on the Apia waterfront earmarked for a government office complex. Three New Zealand com panies joined forces to form Portland Kidson Whiting
which refloated the Queen last month. The first phase of the operation was completed at 6.30 am on July 5 when the ferry was towed to Apia wharf.
Salvage involved local subcontractors which built an earth wall to keep out the high tide. The salvage work ers then dug around the ferry until she was able to be towed into the sea at high tide.
Queen Salamasina was towed to Nelson for dry docking. The salvage operators are contracted to return the ferry to Apia. The salvage contract cost U 551,234 million. □