The number of passengers travelling on the MV Lady Samoa IV between Apia and Pago Pago has been reduced to just 100 until the engine for one of the lifeboats onboard the vessel is fixed. 

The Lady Samoa was detained earlier this month in American Samoa by the US Coast Guard due to deficiencies in its equipment. 

Lt Cody Baggett, head of the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Unit told media in the territory they found deficiencies with the lifeboats, life rafts and life jackets during their inspection. 

He said a lifeboat wasn’t working properly, and there were also issues with the life jackets, and unless these deficiencies were corrected the vessel could not leave port.

“We have to test all of the vessel’s systems to make sure they are safe for the passengers.” 

According to the Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC) Chief Executive Officer, Leiataua Samuel Phineas one of the lifeboats had engine problems. 

Leiataua said they were procuring an engine from its manufacturer in Japan. 

The Lady Samoa has a capacity of 280 passengers. For safety, this number has been reduced to 100. This number of passengers will be able to fit in the liferafts during an emergency.

Regular trips between Apia and Pagopago are ongoing and the SSC hopes to address the issue with the boat’s equipment by early December so it can return to carrying 280 passengers during the busy Christmas season. 

“There are regular surveys for safety requirements and this was an oversight by the crew when it later found that the lifeboat on the left side wasn’t working properly,” said Leiataua. 

“In any circumstances where safety requirements are not complied with leads to detainment. It can happen here too.”   

Meanwhile, the Lady Samoa voyage that arrived on Saturday morning had an unexpected turn when a 24-year-old woman was found with utensils for smoking meth on her. Police K9 dogs assisted in the seizure. 

Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed the woman a Samoa national is being charged with possession of utensils and will appear in court next month.