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Planning for Removal of Derelict Vessels and Vessel Debris in American Samoa

Pacific; 2007

Background | Partners | Benefits of the Project | Photos | 1-pager

Background

The wreckage of the F/V Jui Man #3 on Tutuila Island, and the F/V Young Kwan on Aunu’u Island in American Samoa are both local sources of marine debris.  The F/V Young Kwan is broken apart into a large debris field, while the F/V Jui Man #3 is mostly intact but rapidly deteriorating.  Both vessels were surveyed in 2005 as part of NOAA Coral Program funded Abandoned Vessel Project (AVP) to monitor the recovery of the wreck removal sites in Pago Pago harbor.  The project will entail developing wreck removal plans for both vessels, using a combination of local expertise and off-island salvage experts.  This will include funding for salvage experts to travel out to Samoa to:

  1. Meet with the potentially involved territorial agencies

  2. Conduct a site assessment of the wrecks and mapping of the existing debris fields

  3. Evaluate capacity of on-island salvage/construction firms, assets and logistics

  4. Prepare a summary report and briefing of removal options and potential sources of funding

  5. Meet with the local communities, chiefs and other community supporters of the project

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Partners

  • Meredith Speicher, American Samoa Coral Advisory Group, Pago Pago, American Samoa

  • Navy Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit, Honolulu, HI

  • Salvage Expert (TBD) - The contract iscurrently being competed

  • Pulenu’u (Village Mayor), Villages of Amouli, and Aunu’u, American Samoa

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Benefits of the Project

  • Development of a salvage and wreck removal plan that will facilitate future discussions with potential parties such as US Navy on vessel removal.

  • Identification of  portions of the wreckage that may be safely addressed though community-based efforts.
    Better understanding of local capacity in Samoa to address similar situations.

  • Enhanced in-house capability, expertise, and understanding of alternatives for removal of wreckage from environmentally sensitive locations.

  • Ultimately we hope this will lead to removal of the debris and reduction of coral injury.

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Photos

Map of Wreck Sites- NOAA Chart 83484.
Map of Wreck Sites - NOAA Chart 83484.

This wreck is close to the road and would be readily accessible by heavy equipment.
This wreck is close to the road and would be readily accessible by heavy equipment. Photo courtesy of D. Helton.

The wreckage is a concern to the local village as there is sharp metal on the reef and on the supratidal sections of debris.
The wreckage is a concern to the local village as there is sharp metal on the reef and on the supratidal sections of debris. Photo courtesy of I. Zelo.

Wreckage of the F/V Jui Man #3 on Tutuila Island. There is scattered debris along the shoreline near the wreck.
Wreckage of the F/V Jui Man #3 on Tutuila Island. There is scattered debris along the shoreline near the wreck. Photo courtesy of D. Helton.

Wreckage of the F/V Young Kwan is spread over several hundred meters of the shoreline and reef flats on Aunu’u Island.
Wreckage of the F/V Young Kwan is spread over several hundred meters of the shoreline and reef flats on Aunu’u Island. Photo courtesy of D. Helton.

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1-pager

Download the 1-pager handout (pdf 1.21MB) on this project here.

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This program is funded through NOAA's Ocean Service, Office of Response & Restoration, Marine Debris Program.

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