The National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) Maritime School has received equipment courtesy of the United States Training Ship Golden Bear (TS Golden Bear).

The donation is part of the United States strengthening its friendly relations with Samoa. The equipment included life rafts, firehose, life jackets, laptops, and immersion suits which will enhance the capabilities of the university's training while enabling students to gain practical skills in modern navigation and communication technologies. 

A total of eight pallets were offloaded at the premises of the N.U.S. Maritime School at Mulinu'u for immediate use, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Apia on Thursday.

The N.U.S. Deputy Vice Chancellor, Peseta Dr. Desmond Lee Hang said the new equipment will help with improving the level of knowledge that the school will be able to deliver.

“The maritime training equipment that you have generously gifted to our School of Maritime training will go a long way in ensuring that we comply with international maritime standards, and at the same time our graduates achieve the competency standards that are specified under the 1978 Convention Seafarers Training, Certification Watchkeeping Code for our rating programs,” said Peseta. 

The U.S. Embassy's Chargé d’Affaires Noriko Horiuchi said the donation to the NU.S. Maritime School will help strengthen the bond between the two countries. 

“This donation is a tangible expression of the U.S. commitment to supporting the education of Samoa maritime students,” she said. “As maritime cooperation has been a cornerstone of our connections, we hope that the equipment will assist the students and equip them with the necessary skills to excel in the industry.” 

The TS Golden Bear’s Captain, Samaro Bannister-Schneider personally delivered the new equipment to the school and said they were elated to provide the support. 

“We are delighted to share with you today this equipment to further enhance your skills and capabilities as a maritime student and graduate,” she said. “On behalf of the California State University Maritime Academy as collected and received from MATSON Navigation Co. and Operations Department of the SS Jeremiah O’Brien and the staff, faculty and crew of the California State University Maritime Academy.” 

The Maritime School students expressed their gratitude in song and dance, along with Samoan handicrafts that were presented as gifts to Cpt. Bannister-Schneider and the crew of TS Golden Bear. The students were then invited to tour the TS Golden Bear on Monday and given a preview of the hi-tech stimulator system used by the U.S. ship's cadets for navigational and communication training.