Today, the US Coast Guard team from Honolulu, working with local response agencies and companies was supposed to remove the fishing vessel #1 Ji Hyun from the reef near Aunuu island.
However according to Harbor Master Patane, the salvage operation is being delayed because the tugboats will be tied up with the arrival of a fuel tanker.
Patane says they hope to have the tanker discharge its fuel load and move out to sea before the territory feels the full force of Amos.
The fishing vessel‘s engine died while it was on its way to Manu’a to deliver supplies for the American Samoa Power Authority.
It drifted onto the reef where it remains in an upright position.
Seven crew members on board made it to shore safely,.
The Coast Guard working with local company Solar Inc. has discharged all of the vessel’s fuel.
KHJ News was earlier told that there was no spillage from the vessel however Patane says there was some but not major.
The location where the vessel sits is part of the Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and there’s concern that there has been damage to the reef.
