By Martha Taumata Faavae
Peak holiday sailings starting this week is going ahead as schedule, for as long as the cyclone weather of the past few weeks will allow travel between the Mulifanua and Salelologa wharves.
The Samoa Shipping Corporation has lined up the Lady Samoa and two other smaller barges to keep the flow of travel going.
The travel arrangement has worked well in the past and the only reason it will not is when all sailings are halted by unsafe weather.
“Safety is our first priority for travellers and right now we cannot take the risks with the difficult weather,” SSC General Manager Leiataua Sam Phineas after the disruptions from the weather these past few weeks.
“The conditions are too rough for the vessels to be moored safely at the wharves and also while out sailing in the open seas.”
Leiataua admitted that they are prepared to keep canceling all sailings if the conditions persist into this busy Christmas week.
Travelers who booked ahead will have to re-book for sailing when the weather clears.
The setbacks at a busy period for the SSC is certain to impact on its revenues for the holiday season between December 2020 and January 2021.