The MV Manu’atele which arrived back from Honolulu on Saturday was welcomed home in a prayer service at the inter island dock yesterday morning.
Captain Lafoga and his 8 member crew were not allowed to disembark as they are a few days short of the required 14 days of quarantine .
Their wives and children were waiting for them at the inter island dock but they could only wave and blow kisses and get the same back.
Rev Iasepi Ulu of the Fagatogo CCCAS offered a prayer of thanks for the Manu’atele’s safe return and for God’s protection of the crew while they were in Honolulu and during their journey home.
The choir from his congregation sang uplifting songs which set the tone for the welcome home ceremony.
Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga had a long list of people to thank but most of all Port Administration Directir Taimalelagi Dr Claire Poumele and the captain and crew of the Manu’atele who left their families and the comforts of their homes to travel to Hawaii and wait until the vessel was repaired.
The vessel sailed for Honolulu in June and underwent repairs at the Maricsco shipyard.
The Governor’s thanks for the captain and crew were echoed by the Port Director who also paid tribute to Governor Lolo’s leadership without which American Samoa would not have acquired the Manu’atele.
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs funded $1.6 million of the repair job,
Captain Lafoga spoke from on board the vessel to express his thanks on behalf of their crew for the prayers and well wishes.
He also proudly showed off the starboard side of the Manu’atele which had been damaged during the incident in January when the vessel rammed into the dock at Ofu, Manu’a, but now looks brand new.
The crew’s quarantine will finish on Wednesday and after reuniting with their wives and children they will be sailing to Manu’a before the weekend.
