The owner of Paramount Builders, Papalii Laulii Alofa has confirmed that he has acquired an old US Navy vessel which is now on its way to the territory.
Named the MV Pago Pago it left Honolulu March 7th with a barge in tow. They are due to arrive here next week.
He declined to disclose the cost of the vessel and barge which will be used initially for Paramount Builders work in Manu’a
Papalii told KHJ News that their company was awarded the contract for dredging of Faleasao Harbor and that is what the vessel and barge will be used for.
Captain Wally Thompson was contracted to sail the boat, which according to Papalii was a naval torpedo retriever.
Tragedy struck last Tuesday when one of the crew members on board died.
The deceased is among four employees of Port Administration who had taken leave to sail the MV Pago Pago from Honolulu.
Papalii said the crew member died in his sleep.
He has expressed condolences to the family of the deceased whom a Port Administration official identified as Jerusalem Tuipelehake.
Coast Guard Lt. Ryan Junod said that since the death occurred at sea, there will be an investigation once the vessel arrives.
