 The Caroline Voyager is Back in ServicePalikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): September 9, 2010 - After a long trip through the Pohnpei Southern Islands, the Mortlocks and Northwest islands of Chuuk, and the islands of Yap, the MS Caroline Voyager, the only National Government operated vessel, arrived into the Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation's shipyard in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2010, for her bi-annual dry-dock. Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation was selected by the FSM Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure (TC&I) as the successful bidder to undertake the dry-docking of the vessel and perform needed maintenance work. The FSM Congress, via the appropriation of additional funds, also authorized work to permanently seal up the vessel's bow doors and remove an existing ramp. The vessel underwent a month of dry-docking under the supervision of Chief Engineer Leo Lokopwe, the Assistant Secretary for the Division of Marine Transportation of TC&I, and returned back to the FSM on July 28, 2010, to resume her needed field trip services. After her arrival in Pohnpei, she began her first voyage through the Mortlock Islands and onto Weno, Chuuk, pursuant to her approved schedule. During the last Cabinet Meeting, on August 10, 2010, Secretary Itimai of TC&I confirmed the MS Caroline Voyager had arrived back in Pohnpei, her home port, in better condition to carry out the field trip services for the Nation. Itimai stated he had approved the vessel's next scheduled regular and student run to the Pohnpei Eastern Islands, Kosrae State and also to the Pohnpei Southern Islands; these runs took place between August 25 and September 2, 2010. Itimai explained that the main purpose of the vessel's scheduled runs to the outer islands is to transport cargo and passengers, but also to provide efficient transportation for students who need to return from the outer islands to the main island of Pohnpei to resume their Fall Classes. In his briefing with Cabinet members, Itimai stated that contingent upon the availability of fuel funds in September, his Department will request the approval from President Mori to schedule a special and student run for the Chuuk Northwest Region. The next upcoming Schedule for the MS Caroline Voyager is as follows: Regular & Student Run
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