By Martha Taumata Faavae
The General Manager of the Samoa Shipping Services, SSC, is hardly bothered by the run of public blame on the returning seafarers, after one was initially tested positive for the coronavirus last Thursday.
The Samoa Shipping Services boss Lautimuia Uelese Vaai is aware of the angry write ups and comments, on social media in particular, at the seafarers, for bringing the virus into Samoa.
“These seafarers are not just sons of Samoa but citizens also, they have the same rights as any other Samoan to return home especially with the Christmas Holidays coming up,” Lautimuia charged without reservation.
“Nothing is also stopping the 80 new seafaring recruits from leaving Samoa to take up working contracts overseas.”
Lautimuia said arrangements for travel are being finalised, especially the planning of a safe route for the travelling seafarers to take on their way to work.
A young seafarer who was employed on a ship in Italy was tested positive last Wednesday night for the pandemic virus until follow up tests the next day on Thursday morning came out negative.
The suspected traveller was among a group of 24 seafarers who flew from Italy to New Zealand and continued on to Samoa on a repatriation flight a week ago last Friday. (see other story)
The group is the first of more seafarers who are finally finding their way home after months of being stranded in Europe while negotiations were underway for their repatriation.
The SSC as the recruiting agency for seafarers in Samoa for international shipping companies was involved in negotiations for the return of the stranded workers.
Travel restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic in each of the countries of transit for the seafarers made their repatriation to Samoa a major challenge.
A second group of seafarers making the return home are due this week on the direct flight from Los Angeles.
“ There are 140 seafarers who are confirmed on the flight arriving this Friday.”
The group makes up about half the 300 passengers booked on the Air New Zealand chartered flight to Samoa.
Students and missionaries make up the other main groups along with a few more who are able to booked a seat in the flight.
More than 400 were on the travel list to Samoa but some were forced to miss the flight with all the seats booked out.
