Imagery Available: Coast Guard reopens Port of Pago Pago following Tropical Cyclone Gita, response to grounded fishing vessel resumes

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/11/2018 09:54 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 14th District Hawaii and the Pacific
Feb. 11, 2018
Contact: 14th District Public Affairs
Office: (808) 535-3230
After Hours: (808) 341-9849
14th District online newsroom
Imagery Available: Coast Guard reopens Port of Pago Pago following Tropical Cyclone Gita, response to grounded fishing vessel resumes

Chief Warrant Officer James Gardner, a senior marine inspector at Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa, conducts a visual post-storm assessment of the Port of Pago Pago, Feb. 11, 2018. The Port of Pago Pago was closed to commercial traffic until a full assessment could be completed following Tropical Cyclone Gita. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/Released)   Cmdr. Ulysses Mullins, deputy sector commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, along with Lt. Gov. of American Samoa Lemanu Peleti Mauga, and various officials, sing a prayer before conducting a post-storm briefing for Tropical Cyclone Gita at the Emergency Operations Center in American Samoa, Feb. 11, 2018. Coast Guard officials discussed the reopening of the Port of Pago Pago along with the response efforts for the grounding of the 88-foot commercial fishing vessel Chui Zai Fa No. 1 grounded about 300-yards off Leone Bay, American Samoa. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/Released)  

Cmdr. Ulysses Mullins, deputy sector commander Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, and Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Anderson Coast Guard Sector Honolulu prevention, discuss future operations for the removal of product aboard the 88-foot commercial fishing vessel Chui Zai Fa No. 1 grounded about 300-yards off Leone Bay, American Samoa, Feb. 11, 2018. The owner of the Chui Zai Fa No. 1, is the responsible party and is actively working with Coast Guard officials and local authorities to develop a salvage plan for the grounded fishing vessel. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/Released)    Cmdr. Ulysses Mullins, deputy sector commander Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, Lt. Tanner Stiehl, Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa supervisor, and Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Anderson, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu prevention, observe diversion boom Feb. 11, 2018, placed in waterways in and around Leone Bay to protect environmentally sensitive areas from any potential release of product off the grounded 88-foot commercial fishing vessel Chui Zai Fa No. 1 American Samoa. The owner of the Chui Zai Fa No. 1, is the responsible party and is actively working with Coast Guard officials and local authorities to develop a salvage plan for the grounded fishing vessel. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/Released)

Editors Note: Click on images to download high-resolution versions.

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has reopened the port of Pago Pago to commercial traffic Sunday, following Tropical Cyclone Gita, and work to remove the Chui Zai Fa No. 1 continues.
“I really appreciate the exceptional effort of our port partners in American Samoa during this difficult time," said Capt. Mike Long, Coast Guard Captain of the Port. “Reopening the port is a vital step in the reconstitution of the maritime transportation system in American Samoa and allows for the free flow of commerce to the island.”
Personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa conducted a post-storm port survey aboard the Tug Sailele and deemed the port safe to be reopened to commercial traffic.
A Coast Guard HC-130 airplane crew, Coast Guard response personnel and a FEMA representative arrived in American Samoa late Saturday afternoon from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, to conduct an aerial post-storm assessment. 
High winds remain a concern through the remainder of the weekend, as responders work to assess the region and resume the response to the grounded 88-foot commercial fishing vessel Chui Zai Fa No. 1, located approximately 300-yards off Leone Bay.
The owner of the Chui Zai Fa No. 1 is the responsible party and is actively working with Coast Guard officials and local authorities to develop a salvage plan for the grounded fishing vessel.
A small craft advisory remains in effect for American Samoa with frequent showers and scattered thunderstorms. Winds are reportedly 23 to 35 mph with seas at 12 to 16 feet. Power and water outages are reportedly still affecting the island.
The public is reminded that the site immediately around the vessel and the vessel itself are dangerous. It is in a heavy surf zone and the structure of the vessel is compromised. Non-response personnel should remain clear of the vessel and surrounding area. 
The Taiwanese-flagged vessel reportedly caught fire Nov. 4, 2017, in international waters and remained adrift until its grounding Monday. To view previous releases please visit: http://www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/14th-District-Hawaii-and-the-Pacific/ 

-USCG-