Police detain boat that entered Samoan waters without legal documentation

By Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – 28 APRIL 2023: The police have detained a boat that belongs to an American Samoa businessman that entered Samoan waters early this week without proper documentation.

The boat was reported to have travelled directly from American Samoa to Savaii and was seized after it had unloaded its cargo at the Salelologa wharf.

Sources said the cargo were mainly goods meant to assist with a funeral at the businessman’s family in Savai’i.

The Police have not responded to enquires for more details. However sources said police picked up the boat heading for Savaii during their regular sea patrols of illegal activities as part of the Pacific Rai Balang Border security program.

Police are investigating how the boat managed to enter Samoa without legal documentation and also who authorized it.

The approval of such boats to enter Samoan waters is authorized by the Ministry of Works under its sea surveillance mandate.

However, separate sources said that the trip was authorized by someone who did not have the authority to do so.

It is not clear how long police would detain the boat at the Matautu wharf in Apia but sources said the owner of the boat and local authorities are working on the paperwork before the boat is released.

Other than usual security and border control requirements, there are local concerns that the boat went directly and unloaded cargo at Savaii when American Samoa is currently under a health State of Emergency due to a measles outbreak and did not go through the normal health checkpoint.