American Samoa's new government-owned catamaran purchased to service the Manu'a islands is now expected to arrive later this month.
The Governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, speaking to the Fono, says there are also efforts to source a second larger vessel for ocean transportation between Tutuila and the Manu'a islands.
He says efforts to develop the Manu'a Islands are progressing well with many of the government agencies now having a physical presence on Ofu and Tau islands, and that the catamaran vessel servicing Ta'u and Ofu will arrive on July the 29th.
The vessel, now enroute to the territory, was built by Armstrong Marine, based in the United States, for nearly 900,000 US dollars.
The boat can carry about 25 passengers, and travels at 20-25 knots.
In good weather, a trip between Ofu and Tau would take about 15 minutes.
Travel between the two islands is currently by small, privately-owned boats that can cost up to 150 dollars per trip.
