Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Revised Schedule of the M/V Caroline Voyager

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): October 28, 2009 - The M/V Caroline Voyager is on its way to Yap Port to begin the charter by the National Department of Health & Social Affairs (DH&SA) to administer the H1N1 flu shots in all of the islands. On its way to Yap, it will be calling on the main islands in the Mortlocks, all the islands in the Chuuk Northwest Region, and all the outer islands in Yap, for the purpose of transporting passengers and cargo between the islands. After reaching Yap on November 10th, 2009, it will begin its charter for the DH&SA vaccination campaign in the outer islands.

The sailing schedule of the M/V Caroline Voyager was delayed from its original scheduled to sail on Saturday, October 24th, 2009, due to several unexpected reasons. The first is due to the holiday (UN Day) on Friday, October 23, 2009, and the weekend, causing the bunkering/fueling of the ship to not be completed, including the loading of some cargo. In addition, there were some problems with the ship's refrigeration system, which is needed in order to keep the H1N1 flu vaccines refrigerated during the trip.

Therefore, the sailing schedule has been postponed until Thursday, October 29, 2009 to make sure that everything is ready. In order to ensure that the refrigeration system is working properly, Mr. Leo Lokopwe, the Department of Transportation, Communication & Infrastructure's Branch Development Manager, will accompany the ship to monitor the system. Mr. Lokopwe is assisting the crew on behalf of the Chief Engineer, Mr. Mariano Kilmete, who is currently on vacation. For a complete listing of the tentative revised schedule, please click on the following link: http://www.fsmpio.fm/announcements/schedule.pdf.