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Nena Informs Pangelinan No Salvage Operations

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): February 18, 1998 - President Jacob Nena, on February 16^th, informed Pohnpei Governor that the United States cannot assist in salvage operations.

Nena was responding to an earlier request by Governor Del Pangelinan to the American Embassy here for assistance in removing grounded fishing vessels on Pohnpei's fringe reef.

The American Embassy suggested that FSM seeks assistance from the vessel owners or the government of the nation of registry. That neither the U.S. Coast Guard nor any other U.S. Military Services has any ships or personnel financed or authorized to assist in salvage operations.

The U.S. Coast Guard would be willing, however, to send an expert in salvage operation to provide advice but not providing funding or resources. To receive services of experts from the U.S. Coast Guards, Pohnpei should meet the following conditions: the request for that expert's be conveyed to the U.S. Embassy by the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs and not directly from the state government nor a component of the FSM National Government; expenses connected including round-trip transportation and per diem for the duration of such assignment must be borne by the state involved or the FSM Government.

President Nena urged appropriate government departments and agencies to take note of the advice of the U.S. Embassy to consider becoming a member of International Maritime Organization (IMO) in order to become accessible to its programs of assistance dealing with marine accidents and pollution.

Nena copied his letter to the FSM Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, the Department of Justice and the Micronesian Maritime Authority.